# NTSB NYC01LA075: Boeing B-737-832, N3735D, Boston, MA, February 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 2001, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Boston, MA - Coordinates: 42.359638, -71.060569 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3596&lon=-71.0606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 135 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 51450 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51450/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA075 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The inadequate visual lookout by theMD-81's tug driver during the pushback operation. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The inadequate visual lookout by the MD-81's tug driver during the pushback operation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - visual lookout - inadequate, ground personnel (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - pushback/tow - visual lookout - inadequate, ground personnel (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The Boeing had stopped behind a MD-81 on the yellow lead-in taxi line about 150 feet short of the jetway to await wing-walkers. A wing-walker soon arrived and instructed the Boeing to remain stationary. The MD-81 was then pushed back from its gate into the Boeing. The tug operator for the MD-81 stated that he began to start the pushback once he observed the Boeing pass by. During the pushback the tug operator was "watching the nosewheel and tow bar," and was distracted by other vehicle movements. The tug operator also lost sight of the Boeing at that time. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The Boeing had stopped behind a MD-81 on the yellow lead-in taxi line about 150 feet short of the jetway to await wing-walkers. A wing-walker soon arrived and instructed the Boeing to remain stationary. The MD-81 was then pushed back from its gate into the Boeing. The tug operator for the MD-81 stated that he began to start the pushback once he observed the Boeing pass by. During the pushback the tug operator was "watching the nosewheel and tow bar," and was distracted by other vehicle movements. The tug operator also lost sight of the Boeing at that time. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On February 3, 2001, about 1225 eastern standard time, a Boeing 737-832, N3735D, operated by Delta Airlines Inc., as flight 2276, was substantially damaged when it was struck by another airplane, while standing at the General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts. The other airplane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-81, N802US, operated by US Airways as flight 1215, sustained minor damage. None of the 6 crewmembers and 25 passengers aboard the Boeing were injured, nor were any of the 6 crewmembers and 98 passengers onboard the McDonnell Douglas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The Boeing had arrived on an instrument rules flight plan from the La Guardia Airport, Flushing, New York, and the McDonnell Douglas had an instrument rules flight plan on file to Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The scheduled passenger flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the captain of the Boeing, he was taxiing the airplane to Shuttle Gate 4, and had turned the airplane towards the gate to line up with the jetway. The captain then stopped the airplane on the yellow lead-in taxi line about 150 feet short of the jetway to await wing-walkers. A wing-walker soon arrived and instructed the flightcrew to remain stationary. As the airplane remained stopped, the flightcrew felt a shudder and vibration throughout the airplane. After being advised that his airplane had been struck by another airplane, the captain taxied to the jetway uneventfully and parked. A flight attendant who witnessed the accident from Shuttle Gate 5, stated she observed the Boeing being stopped by a marshalling agent as it approached Gate 4, to await wing walkers. The flight attendant then looked out the window and observed a US Airways MD-81 being pushed back. A wing-walker, who was located off the right side of the MD-81, began to run towards the tug pushing back the airplane, signaling an emergency stop. The tug operator did not appear to respond and the MD-81's tail struck the Boeing. The tug operator for the MD-81 stated that he began to start the pushback once he observed the Boeing pass by. During the pushback the tug operator was "watching the nosewheel and tow bar," and was distracted by other vehicle movements. The tug operator also lost sight of the Boeing at that time. Damage reported by the operators included vertical stabilizer and rudder damage to the Boeing 737, and right horizontal stabilizer damage to the MD-81. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On February 3, 2001, about 1225 eastern standard time, a Boeing 737-832, N3735D, operated by Delta Airlines Inc., as flight 2276, was substantially damaged when it was struck by another airplane, while standing at the General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts. The other airplane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-81, N802US, operated by US Airways as flight 1215, sustained minor damage. None of the 6 crewmembers and 25 passengers aboard the Boeing were injured, nor were any of the 6 crewmembers and 98 passengers onboard the McDonnell Douglas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The Boeing had arrived on an instrument rules flight plan from the La Guardia Airport, Flushing, New York, and the McDonnell Douglas had an instrument rules flight plan on file to Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The scheduled passenger flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the captain of the Boeing, he was taxiing the airplane to Shuttle Gate 4, and had turned the airplane towards the gate to line up with the jetway. The captain then stopped the airplane on the yellow lead-in taxi line about 150 feet short of the jetway to await wing-walkers. A wing-walker soon arrived and instructed the flightcrew to remain stationary. As the airplane remained stopped, the flightcrew felt a shudder and vibration throughout the airplane. After being advised that his airplane had been struck by another airplane, the captain taxied to the jetway uneventfully and parked. A flight attendant who witnessed the accident from Shuttle Gate 5, stated she observed the Boeing being stopped by a marshalling agent as it approached Gate 4, to await wing walkers. The flight attendant then looked out the window and observed a US Airways MD-81 being pushed back. A wing-walker, who was located off the right side of the MD-81, began to run towards the tug pushing back the airplane, signaling an emergency stop. The tug operator did not appear to respond and the MD-81's tail struck the Boeing. The tug operator for the MD-81 stated that he began to start the pushback once he observed the Boeing pass by. During the pushback the tug operator was "watching the nosewheel and tow bar," and was distracted by other vehicle movements. The tug operator also lost sight of the Boeing at that time. Damage reported by the operators included vertical stabilizer and rudder damage to the Boeing 737, and right horizontal stabilizer damage to the MD-81. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3735D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3735D), registered now, S/N 30381, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing B-737-832 - Registry model: [Boeing 737-832](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-832) (registry code 13844CF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30381 - Airframe hours: 276 - Engines: CFM International CFM56-7B 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 21, 2001 - Departed: DCA, Washington, DC - Destination: BOS, Boston, MA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BOS, Logan International Airport ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N802US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N802US-2006-02-06), registration cancelled 2006-02-06, S/N 48036, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas MD-81 - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-81(MD-81)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-81-md-81) (registry code 3022081) (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: 48036 - Airframe hours: 53366 - Engines: P&W JT8D-217 20850 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: US Airways Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 16, 2001, 188 hours before - Departed: BOS, Boston, MA - Destination: PIT, Pittsburgh, PA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BOS, Logan International Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3735D; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 25, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 7,443 total, 110 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot, aircraft N3735D; age 40; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 4, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 6,278 total, 293 in this make and model, 95 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N802US; age 47; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 13, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 17,500 total, 5,413 in this make and model - Co-pilot, aircraft N802US; age 32; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 3, 1999; seat: right; flight hours: 7,295 total, 1,312 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 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.