# NTSB NYC05LA013: Bombardier CL-600-2B19, N592ML, Philadelphia, PA, October 27, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 27, 2004, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Philadelphia, PA - Coordinates: 39.871944, -75.241111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8719&lon=-75.2411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 41 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 60500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60500/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA013 ## Probable cause The flightcrew's misjudged clearance from a parked airport vehicle while taxiing. A factor was the vehicle operator's improper decision to park within a taxiway safety area. ## 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 - improper decision, airport personnel (contributing factor) - object - vehicle - clearance - misjudged, flightcrew (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was taxiing for takeoff on a 50-foot wide taxiway. The flightcrew observed an airport vehicle parked on the grass, off the right side of the taxiway. The flightcrew also observed a larger airplane that had taxied past that point, and thought the clearance was adequate. However, as the airplane continued to taxi, the right wing struck the rear of the airport vehicle. A safety area extended an additional 34 feet from the edge of the taxiway. The driver of the airport vehicle parked about 6 feet from the edge of the taxiway; about 28 feet in the safety area. The driver did not inform air traffic control that the vehicle was parked there, and buildings obstructed the view from the control tower. ## Factual narrative On October 27, 2004, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19, N592ML, operated by Mesa Airlines Inc. as US Airways Express flight 2924, was substantially damaged while taxiing at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 2 certificated cockpit crewmembers, 1 cabin crewmember, and 38 passengers were not injured; while 1 airport employee sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Montreal, Canada. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the air carrier flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. The flightcrew reported that the airplane was taxing for takeoff at PHL. While on taxiway "SA," they observed an airport vehicle parked on the grass, off the right side of the taxiway. The flightcrew also observed a larger airplane that had taxied past that point, and thought the clearance was adequate. However, as the airplane continued to taxi, the right wing struck the rear of the airport vehicle. The driver of the vehicle stated that it was yellow in color, with lights flashing, and parked in a grass area. He was seated in the parked vehicle when it was struck from the rear, forcing the driver backward into his seat. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the taxiway was 50 feet wide, with a safety area that extended an additional 34 feet from the edge of the taxiway. The wingspan of the airplane was 69 feet, 7 inches. The driver of the yellow airport vehicle was escorting two other vehicles, which were parked on the grass, outside of the safety area. However, the driver of the yellow vehicle parked about 6 feet from the edge of the taxiway; about 28 feet in the safety area. Additionally, the driver did not inform air traffic control (ATC) that the vehicle was parked there, and buildings obstructed the view from the control tower. During the collision, the right wing sustained substantial damage, and the driver of the vehicle was injured. The FAA inspector further stated that the driver of the vehicle was subsequently counseled by PHL Airport Operations. After several requests from the FAA inspector, PHL Airport Operations failed to provide information on vehicle operator training and procedures. The inspector added that the training was not regulated. The reported weather at PHL, at 0954, was: wind from 350 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 miles; few clouds at 4,500 feet; ceiling broken at 14,000 feet; ceiling overcast at 20,000 feet; temperature 55 degrees F; dew point 44 degrees F; altimeter 30.22 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N592ML](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N592ML-2017-10-18), registration cancelled 2017-10-18, S/N 7410, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bombardier CL-600-2B19 - Registry model: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/bombardier-cl-600-2b19) (registry code 1390008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CF34 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf34-series) (registry code 30015, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7410 - Airframe hours: 8182 - Engines: General Electric CF343B1 9220 lbs thrust turbo fan; General Electric CF343B1 9220 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Mesa Airlines Inc, doing business as US Airways Express - Registered owner: Bombardier Capital Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 25, 2004 - Departed: PHL, Philadelphia, PA - Destination: CYUL, Montreal - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PHL, Philadelphia International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; 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 March 28, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 210 in the last 90 days - Co-pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 6, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 1,800 total, 150 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: PHL ## 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 20041027035229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041027035229A), Oct 27, 2004: Cndair CL6002B19, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) A mesa airlines rj, N592ML of flight ASH2924, and a ground vehicle collided on taxiway sa at phl. ASH2924 was taxiing on the center line of taxiway sa.… 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.