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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.

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February 17, 2016 · Boeing 737 823 · N925NN

Detroit, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 17, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (155 uninjured)
Location
Detroit, MI
Aircraft
Boeing 737 823 (2013)
Tail Number
N925NN
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DCA16CA094

On 17 February 2016, at about 0610 central daylight time, a B737-800, registration N925NN operated by American Airlines, contacted a Southwest Airlines B737-700, registration N784SW, that was stationary on a deice pad with engines stopped and was being deiced at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Detroit, MI. The American Airlines B737 was taxiing to an adjacent deice pad when it struck the Southwest Airlines B737. N925NN incurred damage to the right winglet, and N784SW sustained substantial damage to its right elevator, elevator tab, stabilizer leading edge, and APU exhaust. There were no injuries on either airplane, and both airplanes taxied back to gate to deplane passengers. Both airplanes were operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. According to the Southwest flight crew, N784SW was stationary on the deice pad 3 with the engines shut down and was being deiced. According to the deice ground crew, N784SW and a United airplane on deice pad 4 were not fully pulled into their respective parking spots on the deice pad. N925NN passed behind N784SW and turned to enter to an adjacent deice pad, and its right winglet contacted the right elevator, horizontal stabilizer, and APU of the Southwest B737.

NTSB Probable Cause

N925NN flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between the two aircraft, leading to the inadvertent collision of the winglet with the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of N784SW.

Full Narrative

On 17 February 2016, at about 0610 central daylight time, a B737-800, registration N925NN operated by American Airlines, contacted a Southwest Airlines B737-700, registration N784SW, that was stationary on a deice pad with engines stopped and was being deiced at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Detroit, MI. The American Airlines B737 was taxiing to an adjacent deice pad when it struck the Southwest Airlines B737. N925NN incurred damage to the right winglet, and N784SW sustained substantial damage to its right elevator, elevator tab, stabilizer leading edge, and APU exhaust. There were no injuries on either airplane, and both airplanes taxied back to gate to deplane passengers. Both airplanes were operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. According to the Southwest flight crew, N784SW was stationary on the deice pad 3 with the engines shut down and was being deiced. According to the deice ground crew, N784SW and a United airplane on deice pad 4 were not fully pulled into their respective parking spots on the deice pad. N925NN passed behind N784SW and turned to enter to an adjacent deice pad, and its right winglet contacted the right elevator, horizontal stabilizer, and APU of the Southwest B737.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:10 EST
Nearest AirportDetroit Metropolitan Wayne Cou (5702nm N)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737 823
Tail NumberN925NN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm Intl · CFM56-7B24E · Turbofan | Cfm Intl · CFM56-7B24E · Turbofan | Cfm Intl. · CFM56 SERIES · Turbofan · 24000
Seats151

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (155 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured155
Total155
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 49 · First Class · None
Crew 3Age 42 · First Class · None
Crew 4Age 42 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data