Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

November 7, 2008 · Boeing 737-700 · N254WN

Salt Lake City, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
November 7, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (51 uninjured)
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Aircraft
Boeing 737-700
Tail Number
N254WN
Operator
Southwest Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
WPR09IA033

During a push back from a jetway, the airplane's winglet collided with the winglet of an unoccupied airplane parked at the adjacent gate. Prior to the push back, the wheels of the tug were not aligned straight ahead, but were instead turned partially to one side. Therefore as the push back was initiated, the nose of the airplane moved toward the jetway instead of going straight back. At that point, instead of terminating the push back and realigning the tug, the tug driver attempted to maneuver the tug in a manner that would result in the nose of the airplane clearing the jetway. During this attempt, the tug driver's attention became focused upon the jetway, and he therefore did not see or hear the visual and oral warning signals being given by the wing-walker.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusio-Situational awareness-Ground crew - C

Full Narrative

On November 7, 2008, about 1615 mountain standard time, the wing of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, N254WN, Flight #784, made contact with the wing of another Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 during the push-back from the jetway at Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah. There were no injuries to the two-person flight crew, the three flight attendants, or the 46 passengers. The contact between the two airplanes resulted in the replacement of the right winglet of N254WN. The intended destination of the 14 CFR Part 121 scheduled passenger flight was Los Angeles, California. The incident occurred while the airport was operating under visual meteorological conditions. According to the operator, flight #784 was being pushed back from the jetway of gate B-13 when the airplane's right winglet collided with the left winglet of an unoccupied airplane parked at gate B-15. Reportedly, the wing-walker watching the right wing of flight #784 saw that there was going to be contact, and began yelling at the tug driver to stop. In addition to his oral command, the wing-walker also gave the standard visual stop signal of crossing his two batons, but the tug driver did not see or hear either signal. According to the tug driver, prior to the initiation of the pushback, the wheels of the tug were not aligned straight ahead, but were instead turned partially to one side. Therefore as he began the pushback, the nose of the airplane moved toward the jetway instead of going straight back. At that point, instead of terminating the pushback and realigning the tug, the tug driver attempted to maneuver the tug in a manner that would result in the nose of the airplane clearing the jetway. During this attempt, the tug driver's attention became focused upon the jetway, and he therefore did not see or hear the signals given by the wing-walker.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time16:15 MST
Nearest AirportSalt Lake City Int. (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-700
Tail NumberN254WN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorSouthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm International · CFM56 · Turbofan | Cfm International · CFM56 · Turbofan
Seats137

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (51 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured51
Total51
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 43 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 0 C
Altimeter30.38 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data