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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 17, 2005 · Boeing 737-322 · N305UA

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 17, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (187 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Boeing 737-322
Tail Number
N305UA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN05IA076

The two Boeing 737 company aircraft were involved in a ground collision while on the ramp. The first airplane, N305UA, was pushed straight back from its gate via a tug and wing walker. The airplane was disconnected from the tug and its engines were running. The pilots received hand signals from the tug operator releasing them from his guidance. The second airplane, N373UA, was being pushed back an adjacent gate via a tug and wing walker. The wing walker, who was positioned at the front of the right wing, stopped the pushback. The wing walker and tug operator had a brief discussion which resulted in the tug operator pulling the aircraft back toward the gate. The pilots of the first airplane visually cleared the area and began to taxi by turning to the west. During the turn, the left wing tip of the first airplane struck the right wing tip of the second company airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the improper use of procedure used by the ground personnel resulting in the right wing of the aircraft colliding with the left wing of another aircraft. A factor in this incident was the failure to maintain clearance by the flight crew of the other aircraft.

Full Narrative

On May 17, 2005, at 0856 mountain daylight time, a Boeing 737-322, N305UA, operated by United Air Lines, flight 229, sustained minor damage when it collided with N373UA, another Boeing 737-322 operated by United Air Lines, flight 424, while taxiing at Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. Both flights were being conducted with instrument flight rules flight plans under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121. The 2 pilots, 3 flight attendants, and 120 passengers aboard flight 229 and the 2 pilots, 3 flight attendants and 57 passengers aboard flight 424 were not injured. The flights were originating at the time of the accident, and were en route to San Jose, California and Minneapolis Minnesota respectively. N305UA had completed a straight pushback from gate B19 via a tug and wing walker. The airplane was disconnected from the tug and its engines were running. The pilots received hand signals from the tug operator releasing them from his guidance. N373UA was being pushed back from gate B21 via a tug and wing walker. The wing walker, who was positioned at the front of the right wing, stopped the pushback. The wing walker and tug operator had a brief discussion which resulted in the tug operator pulling the aircraft back toward the gate. The pilots of N305UA visually cleared the area and began to taxi by turning to the west. During the turn, the left wing tip of N305UA struck the right wing tip of N373UA. N373UA was positioned a reported "5 to 10 feet too far west" at the time of the accident. Post-accident inspection by airline maintenance personnel revealed that the left wingtip of N305UA and the right wingtip of N373UA had scratches, dents, and broken navigation lights and lenses. There was no structural damage found to either aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time08:56 MDT
Nearest AirportDenver International Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-322
Tail NumberN305UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGeneral Electric · CFM56-3-C1 · Turbofan · 20000 | General Electric · CFM56-3-C1 · Turbofan · 20000 | General Electric · CFM56-3-C1 · Turbofan · 20000
Seats127

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (187 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured187
Total187
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 50 · First Class · None
Crew 3Age 45 · First Class · None
Crew 4Age 39 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 13000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 34 C
Altimeter29.51 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data