CircumFlightN995DL Mcdonnell Douglas Aircraft Co MD-88 accident
NTSB DCA13CA106 · 2013-06-13 · Nashville, TN · near KBNA
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
With an expected 20 to 25 minute hold time before departure, the airplane was pushed back from the gate and ground clearance was given for the flight crew to taxi to a hold area to wait. While positioning in the hold area, the airplane's right wing impacted a light pole. The passengers were deplaned via air stairs and no injuries occurred. An examination of the right wing by maintenance personnel revealed that the right wing spar had sustained substantial damage. The Captain, who was at the controls, reported that he had not seen the light pole before impact. The First Officer reported looking up and seeing the light pole; however, he observed that the Captain was turning away from the pole before the impact. It was further reported that there was no pre impact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane's flight controls.
Full narrative
With an expected 20 to 25 minute hold time before departure, the airplane was pushed back from the gate and ground clearance was given for the flight crew to taxi to a hold area to wait. While positioning in the hold area, the airplane's right wing impacted a light pole. The passengers were deplaned via air stairs and no injuries occurred. An examination of the right wing by maintenance personnel revealed that the right wing spar had sustained substantial damage. The Captain, who was at the controls, reported that he had not seen the light pole before impact. The First Officer reported looking up and seeing the light pole; however, he observed that the Captain was turning away from the pole before the impact. It was further reported that there was no pre impact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane's flight controls.
Probable cause
The flight crews failure to maintain clearance from the light pole while taxiing. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- BKN
- Ceiling (ft)
- 3600
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 260
- Wind speed (kt)
- 12
- Temperature (F)
- 84
- Nearest airport
- Nashville International
- Distance from field
- 1.0
- Airport elevation
- 599
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N995DL | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO | MD-88 | SUBS | 121 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taxi Ground collision defining | Taxi |
Findings
| Finding | |
|---|---|
| Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot | cause |