# NTSB NYC00IA100: McDonnell Douglas MD-88, N944DL, Boston, MA, March 24, 2000 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 2000, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Boston, MA - Location: 42.3629° N, 71.0064° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GENERAL EDWARD LAWRENCE LOGAN INTL (BOS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3629&lon=-71.0064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 202 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51266 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00IA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51266/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00IA100 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of the ground pushback crew to maintain an adequate clearance from a nearby airplane during pushback. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of the ground pushback crew to maintain an adequate clearance from a nearby airplane during pushback. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - pushback/tow - clearance - not maintained, ground personnel (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - pushback/tow - clearance - not maintained, ground personnel (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The MD-88 was being pushed back toward a Boeing 727. There were three ground walkers and a tug driver. The three ground walkers all signaled for the tug driver to stop. However, the tug driver reported that he was unable to stop prior to collision without jamming on the brakes. He elected to make a controlled stop and the elevator of the MD-88 struck the rudder of the Boeing 727. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The MD-88 was being pushed back toward a Boeing 727. There were three ground walkers and a tug driver. The three ground walkers all signaled for the tug driver to stop. However, the tug driver reported that he was unable to stop prior to collision without jamming on the brakes. He elected to make a controlled stop and the elevator of the MD-88 struck the rudder of the Boeing 727. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On March 24, 2000, about 1420 Eastern Standard Time, a Boeing 727-247, N297WA, operated by Delta Air Lines as flight 1865, was struck by a McDonnell-Douglas MD-88, N944DL, operated by Delta Air Lines as flight 1857, at Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts. Both airplanes received minor damage, and there were no injuries to the 202 occupants of either airplane, and the 4 ground personnel conducting the pushback on the MD-88. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plans had been filed, for the two flights which were conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. The Boeing 727 was parked at an adjacent gate with the jetway attached. Passenger loading was in progress. The MD-88 was being pushed back for departure. The pushback crew consisted of two wing walkers, a walker by the nose, and the tug driver. As the airplane was pushed back, the tail was turned toward the Boeing 727. The MD-88 was then pulled forward a short distance, and pushed back again to make a change in direction. During the second rearward push, the right elevator of the MD-88 made contact with the rudder tab on the upper rudder of the Boeing 727. The airplanes were separated and the MD-88 was returned to the gate where the passengers deplaned through the jetway. According to statements received from DAL, the three ground walkers all signaled the tug driver to stop. According to the statement from the tug driver: "...I did not want to jam on the brakes and bring him to a hard stop, so I tried to ease him to a comfortable stop...." The damage on the Boeing 727 consisted of a tear in the fiberglass skin of the upper rudder tab. The upper rudder tab was replaced and the airplane was returned to service. The damage on the MD-88 consisted of a four inch long dent in the trailing edge of right side elevator anti-float tab. The airplane was ferried to Atlanta for repair with the damaged unit still in place. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On March 24, 2000, about 1420 Eastern Standard Time, a Boeing 727-247, N297WA, operated by Delta Air Lines as flight 1865, was struck by a McDonnell-Douglas MD-88, N944DL, operated by Delta Air Lines as flight 1857, at Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts. Both airplanes received minor damage, and there were no injuries to the 202 occupants of either airplane, and the 4 ground personnel conducting the pushback of the MD-88. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plans had been filed, for the two flights which were conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. The Boeing 727 was parked at an adjacent gate with the jetway attached. Passenger loading was in progress. The MD-88 was being pushed back for departure. The pushback crew consisted of two wing walkers, a walker by the nose, and the tug driver. As the airplane was pushed back, the tail was turned toward the Boeing 727. The MD-88 was then pulled forward a short distance, and pushed back again to make a change in direction. During the second rearward push, the right elevator of the MD-88 made contact with the rudder tab on the upper rudder of the Boeing 727. The airplanes were separated and the MD-88 was returned to the gate where the passengers deplaned through the jetway. According to statements received from DAL, the three ground walkers all signaled the tug driver to stop. According to the statement from the tug driver: "...I did not want to jam on the brakes and bring him to a hard stop, so I tried to ease him to a comfortable stop...." The damage on the Boeing 727 consisted of a tear in the fiberglass skin of the upper rudder tab. The upper rudder tab was replaced and the airplane was returned to service. The damage on the MD-88 consisted of a four-inch long dent in the trailing edge of right side elevator anti-float tab. The airplane was ferried to Atlanta for repair with the damaged unit still in place. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N944DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N944DL-2020-11-09), registration cancelled 2020-11-09, S/N 49817, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas MD-88 - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-md-88) (registry code 3023688) (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: 49817 - Engines: P&W JT8D-219 21000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 22, 2000 - Departed: BOS - Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BOS, Logan Int'L Airport ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N297WA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N297WA-2003-12-08), registration cancelled 2003-12-08, S/N 22534, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 727-247 - Registry model: [Boeing 727-247](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-247) (registry code 138408F) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-15) (registry code 52051, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22534 - Engines: P&W JT8D-15 15000 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 29, 2000 - Departed: BOS - Destination: JFK, JAMAICA, NY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BOS, Logan Int'L Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N944DL; age 52; 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: 13,000 total, 5,979 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N297WA; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 18,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BOS 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.