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February 3, 2001 · Boeing B-737-832 · N3735D

Boston, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (135 uninjured)
Location
Boston, MA
Aircraft
Boeing B-737-832
Tail Number
N3735D
Operator
Delta Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC01LA075

The Boeing had stopped behind a MD-81 on the yellow lead-in taxi line about 150 feet short of the jetway to await wing-walkers. A wing-walker soon arrived and instructed the Boeing to remain stationary. The MD-81 was then pushed back from its gate into the Boeing. The tug operator for the MD-81 stated that he began to start the pushback once he observed the Boeing pass by. During the pushback the tug operator was "watching the nosewheel and tow bar," and was distracted by other vehicle movements. The tug operator also lost sight of the Boeing at that time.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate visual lookout by the MD-81's tug driver during the pushback operation.

Full Narrative

On February 3, 2001, about 1225 eastern standard time, a Boeing 737-832, N3735D, operated by Delta Airlines Inc., as flight 2276, was substantially damaged when it was struck by another airplane, while standing at the General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts. The other airplane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-81, N802US, operated by US Airways as flight 1215, sustained minor damage. None of the 6 crewmembers and 25 passengers aboard the Boeing were injured, nor were any of the 6 crewmembers and 98 passengers onboard the McDonnell Douglas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The Boeing had arrived on an instrument rules flight plan from the La Guardia Airport, Flushing, New York, and the McDonnell Douglas had an instrument rules flight plan on file to Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The scheduled passenger flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the captain of the Boeing, he was taxiing the airplane to Shuttle Gate 4, and had turned the airplane towards the gate to line up with the jetway. The captain then stopped the airplane on the yellow lead-in taxi line about 150 feet short of the jetway to await wing-walkers. A wing-walker soon arrived and instructed the flightcrew to remain stationary. As the airplane remained stopped, the flightcrew felt a shudder and vibration throughout the airplane. After being advised that his airplane had been struck by another airplane, the captain taxied to the jetway uneventfully and parked. A flight attendant who witnessed the accident from Shuttle Gate 5, stated she observed the Boeing being stopped by a marshalling agent as it approached Gate 4, to await wing walkers. The flight attendant then looked out the window and observed a US Airways MD-81 being pushed back. A wing-walker, who was located off the right side of the MD-81, began to run towards the tug pushing back the airplane, signaling an emergency stop. The tug operator did not appear to respond and the MD-81's tail struck the Boeing. The tug operator for the MD-81 stated that he began to start the pushback once he observed the Boeing pass by. During the pushback the tug operator was "watching the nosewheel and tow bar," and was distracted by other vehicle movements. The tug operator also lost sight of the Boeing at that time. Damage reported by the operators included vertical stabilizer and rudder damage to the Boeing 737, and right horizontal stabilizer damage to the MD-81.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:25 EST
Nearest AirportLogan International Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing B-737-832
Tail NumberN3735D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDelta Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm International · CFM56-7B · Turbofan · 24000 | P&W · JT8D-217 · Turbofan · 20850
Seats162

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (135 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured135
Total135
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 40 · First Class · None
Crew 3Age 47 · First Class · None
Crew 4Age 32 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 14 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 14 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data