# NTSB IAD98LA036: Canadair CL600-2B19, N937CA, Covington, KY, March 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 9, 1998, 23:45 local (Mar 10, 1998, 04:45 UTC) - Place: Covington, KY - Location: 39.0488° N, 84.6678° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CINCINNATI/NORTHERN KENTUCKY INTL (CVG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0488&lon=-84.6678&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor, 15 uninjured; on the ground: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 22, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28284 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28284/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA036 ## Probable cause The driver's operation of a ground vehicle at night with an inoperative windshield wiper and an obscured windscreen against company regulations which resulted in a collision with a parked aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - light condition - dark night - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, driver of vehicle (cause) - weather condition - snow - procedures/directives - not followed, driver of vehicle (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was standing second in line to be de-iced with position and anti-collision lights illuminated, when it was struck from behind by a baggage tug. The tug impacted the trailing edge of the left wing in the vicinity of the left wing tip. The tug driver said he completed two trips past the de-ice pad prior to the collision. Each time the tug was sprayed with de-ice solution (glycol), obscuring the windshield. When the driver attempted to clear his view with the windshield wiper after the first trip, the wiper broke off. He said, 'I couldn't see anything because of the glycol...I was on the ramp road. I couldn't see out the tug [and] never seen the aircraft. I ran into the wing.' Examination of the tug by airport police and company mechanics revealed the wiper was no longer installed. The lights and brakes were operational. According to a company training manual, 'Never operate ground service equipment that is not functioning properly or in need of repair. Immediately report any vehicle in this condition to a supervisor so that corrective action can be taken.' ## Factual narrative On March 9, 1998, at 2345 eastern standard time, a Canadair CL-600-2B19, N937CA, owned and operated by Comair Inc., was substantially damaged when it was struck by a baggage tug while standing at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG), Covington, Kentucky. The 2 flight crewmembers and 13 passengers were not injured. A cabin attendant on the airplane and two tug occupants received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the scheduled passenger flight that originated at CVG, approximately 2330. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. The airplane was standing second in line to be de-iced with position and anti-collision lights illuminated. In a written statement, the Captain said: "We came to a stop, and after approximately 2 minutes...felt a strong jolt and the nose of the aircraft was pushed sideways about 8 feet. I looked out and could see a baggage tug impaled on our left wing tip." In a written statement, the tug driver, who was employed by Comair Inc., said he completed two trips past the de-ice pad prior to the collision. Each time the tug was sprayed with de-ice solution (glycol), obscuring the windshield. When the driver attempted to clear his view with the windshield wiper after the first trip, the wiper broke off. He said, "I couldn't see anything because of the glycol...I was on the ramp road. I couldn't see out the tug [and] never seen the aircraft. I ran into the wing." Examination of the tug by airport police and company mechanics revealed the wiper was no longer installed. The lights and brakes were operational. According to the Comair Customer Services Training Manual Ramp Safety Rules: "SAFETY IS ALWAYS #1 (Never allow yourself or others to make you take short cuts)...A six foot clearance must be maintained between ground equipment and aircraft at all times. A 10 foot clearance must be maintained during inclement weather (snow, rain, ice, etc.). If you have any doubt, stop!...Never operate ground service equipment that is not functioning properly or in need of repair. Immediately report any vehicle in this condition to a supervisor so that corrective action can be taken." Weather reported at the time of the accident was measured ceiling 2,300 overcast with snow. Winds were from 310 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 22 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N937CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N937CA-2014-04-15), registration cancelled 2014-04-15, S/N 7044, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Canadair CL600-2B19 - Registry model: [Canadair CL-600-2B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/canadair-cl-600-2b19) (registry code 1900309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CF34 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf34-series) (registry code 30015, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7044 - Airframe hours: 8862 - Engines: GE CF-34 9140 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Comair Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 9, 1998 - Departed: CVG - Destination: TYS, KNOXVILLE, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CVG, Cincinnati/North Kentucky ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 168 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 310° at 17 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CVG ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980309008039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980309008039A), Mar 9, 1998: Cndair CL6002B19, Covington/Cinci, KY, Substantial damage. Struck by baggage tug while parked with passengers for deicing. Lights on. Windshield tug obscured by glycol spray. 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.