# NTSB FTW91LA137: McDonnell Douglas MD-80, N491AA, Dfw Airport, TX, July 27, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 1991, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Dfw Airport, TX - Location: 32.8972° N, 97.0377° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DALLAS-FORT WORTH INTL (DFW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8972&lon=-97.0377&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 132 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 23379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23379/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA137 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE CAPTAIN OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRCRAFT AND THE STANDING COMMUTER AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE BY THE SECOND PILOT OF THE OTHER AIRPLANE TO IDENTIFY A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE CAPTAIN MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRCRAFT AND THE STANDING COMMUTER AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE SECOND PILOT TO IDENTIFY A HYDROPLANE CONDITION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - aircraft parked/standing - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - object - aircraft moving on ground - clearance - misjudged, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, other crewmember (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) TWO COMMUTER AIRCRAFT WERE INSTRUCTED TO TAXI ON TAXIWAY F, TURN RIGHT INTO TAXIWAY 32, AND HOLD FOR DEPARTURE FROM RUNWAY 36R. THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY THE MD-80 WHICH REMAINED ON TAXIWAY F AND WAS CLEARED TO TAXI PAST AND BEHIND THE COMMUTERS. THE PILOT OF THE MD-80 ATTEMPTED TO TAXI BY THE STANDING AIRCRAFT. THE RIGHT WING TIP OF THE MD-80 STRUCK THE TAIL CONE AREA OF THE STANDING COMMUTER AIRPLANE. THE FIRST OFFICER OF THE MD-80 STATED HE AND HIS CAPTAIN WERE BUSY IN THE COCKPIT WHEN THE IMPACT OCCURRED. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) TWO COMMUTER AIRCRAFT WERE INSTRUCTED TO TAXI ON TAXIWAY F, TURN RIGHT INTO TAXIWAY 32, AND HOLD FOR DEPARTURE FROM RUNWAY 36R. THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY THE MD-80 WHICH REMAINED ON TAXIWAY F AND WAS CLEARED TO TAXI PAST AND BEHIND THE COMMUTERS. THE PILOT OF THE MD-80 ATTEMPTED TO TAXI BY THE STANDING AIRCRAFT. THE RIGHT WING TIP OF THE MD-80 STRUCK THE TAIL CONE AREA OF THE STANDING COMMUTER AIRPLANE. THE FIRST OFFICER OF THE MD-80 STATED HE AND HIS CAPTAIN WERE BUSY IN THE COCKPIT WHEN THE IMPACT OCCURRED. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N491AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N491AA-2019-03-02), registration cancelled 2019-03-02, S/N 49684, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas MD-80 - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82(MD-82)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-82-md-82) (registry code 3022082) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 49684 - Engines: P&W JT8D-217 20850 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: American Airlines - Registered owner: American Airlines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000 - Destination: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DFW, Dallas Fort Worth ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N405AE (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BRITISH AEROSPACE J-3100 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 650 - Airframe hours: 11472 - Engines: GARRETT TPE-331 940 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Metro Airlines - Registered owner: United States Tr Co.Ny Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 23, 1991, 20 hours before - Destination: SPS, WICHITA FALLS, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DFW, Dallas Fort Worth ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N491AA; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,220 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N405AE; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,900 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19910727063181A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910727063181A), Jul 27, 1991: Doug DC982, Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, Minor damage. Taxiing for takeoff wing tip struck tail of standing N405AE. Pilots reported busy in cockpit. Did not see N405AE. - [Accident 19910727063182A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910727063182A), Jul 27, 1991: Bag JETSTM3101, Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, Substantial damage. While standing on adjacent taxiway for takeoff was struck in tail by wing tip of taxiing N491AA. Pilots distracted. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.