# NTSB NYC04CA003: Boeing 737, N972AN, Boston, MA, October 4, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2003, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Boston, MA - Coordinates: 42.364166, -71.004997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3642&lon=-71.0050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 76 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Logan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58103 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58103/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA003 ## Probable cause The collision of a ground support vehicle with a parked aircraft, due to the faulty gearshift lever on the ground support vehicle. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) not operating - object - vehicle - airport equipment,ground support - false/incorrect indication (cause) ## Analysis A mechanic had parked a ground support van outside the baggage area under Gate 26, and exited the van. When he returned to the van several minutes later, it had rolled backwards and impacted a parked aircraft. Examination of the van revealed the gearshift lever was faulty, and when the 'park' detent was selected, the van was actually in 'reverse'. The operator's fleet of ground support vehicles was examined for additional faulty gearshift levers, and one vehicle was identified and removed from service. Examination of the airplane revealed a 10-inch hole, with a larger dented area in the fuselage pressure bulkhead, located on the left side of the airplane, midway between the left engine and the L1 door. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 2003, at 1450 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 737, N972AN, operated by American Airlines Inc., as flight 847, was substantially damaged while parked at Gate 26, when it was struck by an unoccupied ground support van, operated by American Eagle Inc., at the General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. The 2 flightcrew members, 4 flight attendants, and 70 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that was destined for the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. The scheduled passenger flight was to be conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to personnel at American Eagle, a mechanic had parked the ground support van outside the baggage area under Gate 26, and exited the van. When he returned to the van several minutes later, it had rolled backwards and impacted a parked aircraft. Massachusetts State Police and Massport officials examined the van and determined that the gearshift lever was faulty. When the 'park' detent was selected, the van was actually in 'reverse'. Representatives from American Eagle then examined all ground support vehicles in their fleet to identify any additional faulty gearshift levers. During the inspection, one vehicle was identified as faulty, and removed from service. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed a 10-inch hole with a larger dented area in the fuselage pressure bulkhead, located on the left side of the airplane, midway between the left engine and the L1 door. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N972AN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N972AN), registered now, S/N 30097, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 737 - Registry model: [Boeing 737-823](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-823) (registry code 13844CB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b-series) (registry code 13803, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30097 - Engines: Snecma unk turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: American Airlines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: BOS, Boston, MA - Destination: ORD, Chicago O'Hare, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BOS, Boston ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: left; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model - Co-pilot; injuries: none; flight hours: 0 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: BOS ## 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 20031004024399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031004024399A), Oct 4, 2003: Boeing 737823, Boston, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) American airlines flight #847, B-737-823, N972AN, while parked at Boston terminal b, gate 26, was struck by an unoccupied ground support americal eagle… 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.