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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 8, 2001 · Bombardier CL-600-2B19 · N784CA

Detroit, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 8, 2001
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 31 uninjured
Location
Detroit, MI
Aircraft
Bombardier CL-600-2B19
Tail Number
N784CA
Operator
Comair
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA066

An unoccupied van rolled backward and impacted the left side of the airplane causing damage. An airport police report stated, "I [the investigating police officer] interviewed the driver [of the van] who stated that the vehicle had been parked about twenty yards in front of the aircraft for about two minutes before the incident. The driver [of the van] stated that he went to check oil fittings and does not know how the vehicle struck the aircraft." The reported stated that the captain of the aircraft was interviewed and, "...He [the captain of the aircraft] observed the vehicle drive towards and then strike the aircraft moving the aircraft sideways approx. [approximately] 10 inches." Post-accident inspection of the 1988 Dodge Ram Van failed to reveal any anomalies that would prevent the normal operation of the vehicle, specifically the parking brake, the column shifter, and the parking gear.

NTSB Probable Cause

The vehicle driver's inadvertent failure to place the column shifter into the parking gear. A factor to the accident was the vehicle.

Full Narrative

On January 8, 2001, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19, N784CA, flight number 5212, operated by Comair, sustained substantial damage when an unmanned nine-passenger service van collided with the parked aircraft at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 and had an instrument flight plan on file. The aircraft was occupied by 3 crewmembers and 30 passengers. One flight attendant and one passenger reported minor injuries. The remaining 31 occupants reported no injuries. The flight was preparing for departure at the time of the accident, and had the intended destination of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Covington, Ohio. According to an airport police incident report, witnesses stated the unoccupied van rolled backward and impacted the left side of the airplane causing damage. The report stated, "I [the investigating police officer] interviewed the driver [of the van] who stated that the vehicle had been parked about twenty yards in front of the aircraft for about two minutes before the incident. The driver [of the van] stated that he went to check oil fittings and does not know how the vehicle struck the aircraft." The report stated that the captain of the aircraft was interviewed and, "...He [the captain of the aircraft] observed the vehicle drive towards and then strike the aircraft moving the aircraft sideways approx. [approximately] 10 inches." Post-accident inspection of the 1988 Dodge Ram Van failed to reveal any anomalies that would prevent the normal operation of the vehicle, specifically the parking brake, the column shifter, and the parking gear.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest AirportDetroit Metropolitan Wayne Co. (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBombardier CL-600-2B19
Tail NumberN784CA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorComair
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGe · CF34 · Turbojet · 8650 | Ge · CF34 · Turbojet · 8650
Seats55

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 31 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured31
Total33
Crew 1Age 55 · First Class · None
Crew 2First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 10 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time19:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data