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NTSB Report
May 17, 1986 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31 · N973VJ
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 17, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (224 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31
Tail Number
N973VJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI86MA142
U.S. AIR FLIGHT 373 PASSED OVER AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 695 AT THE INTERSECTION OF RUNWAYS 32R AND 4L WHILE BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE TAKING OFF. BOTH AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER AT O'HARE TOWER. THE AIRCRAFT CAME WITHIN TWENTY FEET OF EACH OTHER DURING THE OCCURRENCE. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER WAS INVOLVED IN GIVING ADDITIONAL SEVERE WEATHER AVOIDANCE (SWAP) CLEARANCES WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY FORGOT HE HAD CLEARED THE U.S. AIR FLIGHT FOR TAKEOFF AND THEN ABOUT 20 SECONDS LATER CLEARED THE AMERICAN FLIGHT FOR TAKEOFF.
Full Narrative
U.S. AIR FLIGHT 373 PASSED OVER AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 695 AT THE INTERSECTION OF RUNWAYS 32R AND 4L WHILE BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE TAKING OFF. BOTH AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER AT O'HARE TOWER. THE AIRCRAFT CAME WITHIN TWENTY FEET OF EACH OTHER DURING THE OCCURRENCE. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER WAS INVOLVED IN GIVING ADDITIONAL SEVERE WEATHER AVOIDANCE (SWAP) CLEARANCES WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY FORGOT HE HAD CLEARED THE U.S. AIR FLIGHT FOR TAKEOFF AND THEN ABOUT 20 SECONDS LATER CLEARED THE AMERICAN FLIGHT FOR TAKEOFF.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time09:59 CDT
Nearest AirportO'Hare (0nm N)
Runway4L
Runway Length7500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31
Tail NumberN973VJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT-9D · Turbofan · 14500 | P&W · JT-9D · Turbofan · 14500
Seats125
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (224 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured224
Total224
Crew 1First Class
Crew 2First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:59
Weather SourceWFAC