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NTSB Report
August 5, 1988 · Douglas DC-9-51 · N1282L
Atlanta, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 5, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (199 uninjured)
Location
Atlanta, GA
Aircraft
Douglas DC-9-51
Tail Number
N1282L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ATL88IA226
THE EASTERN DC-9 COLLIDED WITH THE DELTA DC-9 DURING TAXI. THE GROUND PERSONNEL HAD CLEARED THE EASTERN FLIGHT FORWARD AFTER THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED A POWERBACK WHICH LEFT THE AIRPLANE PERPENDICULAR TO THE DELTA FLIGHT. DUE TO THE LONG FUSELAGE AND THE RELATIVE CLOSENESS, WHEN EASTERN STARTED TO TAXI FORWARD, THE VERTICAL FIN CONTACTED DELTA'S HORIZONTAL STABILATOR. THE WING WALKER WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN THE ATTENTION OF THE GROUND GUIDE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE COLLISION; NOR HAD THE GROUND GUIDE INSURED ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BEFORE DIRECTING EASTERN TO TAXI.
Full Narrative
THE EASTERN DC-9 COLLIDED WITH THE DELTA DC-9 DURING TAXI. THE GROUND PERSONNEL HAD CLEARED THE EASTERN FLIGHT FORWARD AFTER THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED A POWERBACK WHICH LEFT THE AIRPLANE PERPENDICULAR TO THE DELTA FLIGHT. DUE TO THE LONG FUSELAGE AND THE RELATIVE CLOSENESS, WHEN EASTERN STARTED TO TAXI FORWARD, THE VERTICAL FIN CONTACTED DELTA'S HORIZONTAL STABILATOR. THE WING WALKER WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN THE ATTENTION OF THE GROUND GUIDE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE COLLISION; NOR HAD THE GROUND GUIDE INSURED ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BEFORE DIRECTING EASTERN TO TAXI.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time17:55 EDT
Nearest AirportHartsfield (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDouglas DC-9-51
Tail NumberN1282L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8 · Turbofan · 16000 | P&W · JT8-D-17 · Turbofan · 16000
Seats95
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (199 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured199
Total199
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class
Crew 2Age 46 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO