Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

April 20, 1997 · Boeing 747-300 · PHBUL

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 20, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (299 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Boeing 747-300
Tail Number
PHBUL
Operator
Royal Dutch Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW97IA161

An Air France Boeing 767 was number one in sequence for takeoff at the runup area for runway 14L. The Air France flight reported that they were not ready for takeoff. KLM flight 662 was cleared by ATC to taxi into position and hold for departure on 14L. While taxiing around the standing Air France 767, the extended right outboard leading edge flap from the KLM 747 impacted the left wing tip of the Air France 767, resulting in minor damage to both airplanes. Airport operations personnel reported that no fuel was spilled from either aircraft and both airplanes taxied back to their respective gates. Air France's maintenance personnel replaced the left wing navigation light assembly from the 767 and the airplane was released and departed approximately 3 hours after the intended departure time. According to the FAA inspector at the site, the wing tip is visible from the cockpit of the 747. Additionally, he stated that the side window was crazed. The scheduled departure time for KLM flight 662 was 1540.

NTSB Probable Cause

The first officer's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing around a standing airplane.

Full Narrative

On April 20, 1997, at 1615 central daylight time, a Boeing 747-300 airplane, Dutch registration PHBUL, collided with another airplane while taxiing for takeoff at the Houston Intercontinental Airport, near Houston, Texas. The airplane was being operated by the Royal Dutch Airlines as KLM Flight 662 under Tittle 14 CFR Part 129, at the time of the incident. None of the 284 passengers, 10 flight attendants, or the 5 flight crewmembers were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the scheduled international flight for which an IFR flight plan was filed. KLM Flight 662 was originating at the time of the incident, with Amsterdam, The Netherlands, at its intended destination. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel at the airport, an Air France Boeing 767 was number one in sequence for takeoff at the runup area for runway 14L. The Air France flight reported to ATC that they were not ready for takeoff; however, they did not state the reason for their delay. ATC asked KLM flight 662, which was number two for departure, if they were able to taxi around the Air France Boeing 767 which was standing on the right side of the KLM Boeing 747. The KLM crew answered that they were able to taxi around and they were subsequently cleared by ATC to taxi into position and hold for departure on 14L. The first officer of the KLM 747 stated that the flight crew was aware of the close clearance between the two wing tips and they "taxied slowly and cautiously" slightly to the left of the yellow taxi line. The first officer stated that he remarked "we were clear" as he watched out his window on the right side of the cockpit. A couple seconds after the "all clear" the crew reported that a "slight bump" was felt which they attributed to a bump on the taxiway. While taxiing around the standing Air France Boeing 767, the extended right outboard leading edge flap from the KLM 747 impacted the left wing tip of the Air France 767, resulting in minor damage to both airplanes. The flight crew of the Air France's 767 reported the collision to ATC by radio. Airport operations personnel reported that no fuel was spilled from either aircraft and both airplanes taxied back to their respective gates in the international ramp where all passengers were deplaned without further incident. Air France's maintenance personnel replaced the left wing navigation light assembly from the Boeing 767 and the airplane was released, departing Houston approximately 3 hours after the their scheduled departure time. Damage to the KLM Boeing 747 was limited to the leading edge of the outboard leading edge flap and the flap actuator. According to the FAA inspector at the site, the wing tip is visible from the first officer's station in the cockpit of the 747. Additionally, the FAA inspector reported that the side window was crazed. The scheduled departure time for KLM Flight 662 was 1540. The visibility at the time of the incident was reported in excess of 10 nautical miles without restrictions.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time16:15 CDT
Nearest AirportHouston Intercontinental (0nm)
Runway14R
Runway Length6038 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 747-300
Tail NumberPHBUL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorRoyal Dutch Airlines
Operating RulePart 129
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT9D-7A · Turbojet · 45000

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (299 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured299
Total299
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data