Boston incursion: Delta 767 clips ASA CRJ900

By Aaron Karp | July 18, 2011

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 hit an Atlantic Southeast Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 Thursday night on a Boston Logan taxiway, causing damage in the smaller aircraft's tail area, according to US FAA and multiple news reports from the scene.

The high-profile incursion involved a moving DL aircraft bound for Amsterdam and an idle ASA CRJ900 preparing for takeoff to Raleigh. The 767 with 215 passengers and crew returned to the terminal while the 77 passengers and crew from the CRJ900, operating as a Delta Connection flight, had to be bussed back to the terminal. FAA said it will investigate the incident.

According to The Boston Globe, the ASA pilots reported "severe damage to the tail and excessive hydraulic leakage" to controllers after the 767's left wing clipped the CRJ900's tail. DL said both aircraft were removed from service for inspection. It confirmed that the moving 767 struck the vertical stabilizer of the CRJ900. One passenger was reportedly taken to the hospital.

Discuss this news 9

17 Jul20:04

The CRJs are not being too

By Cristiano

The CRJs are not being too lucky... Such problem is related to airport operations management.

17 Jul20:25

This does not help the

By Anonymous

This does not help the confidence the travelling public would have in the industry.

It reminds me of the raft of issues JAL experienced after the JAS merger. I wonder if this is a symptom of a cross-corporate-culture following Delta's merger with NWA.

17 Jul21:30

Yes these CRJ's are taking

By B744 Grd Engineer

Yes these CRJ's are taking some hits lately I wonder if there is some procedure that is not being followed?

18 Jul01:17

Well, as a Captain you are

By Captjman

Well, as a Captain you are responsible for your own wingtips. Especially against a non moving object whether it's and RJ, lightpole or cateringtruck. With limited real estate you have to be extra cautious.

18 Jul04:02

Whats up with Delta and all

By Antonio Santiago

Whats up with Delta and all these incidents in 2 or 3 days??

18 Jul08:16

That's quite a leap in logic.

By William

That's quite a leap in logic. Let's wait for the investigation to actually take place before making such rash speculation. Pilots are pilots and are generally trainined not to run in to each other's aircraft - regardless of whose corporate name is on the plane.

18 Jul08:19

This has absolutely nothing

By rogeryyc

This has absolutely nothing to do with the merger of Delta and Northwest. It was simply a controller error in placing two aircraft on the same piece of real estate. The same thing happenned between an Air France A-380 and a Comair operated CRJ-700. I am sure that these incidents will be addressed in the same manner.

18 Jul19:07

Well folks first rule is that

By heavyjetfixer

Well folks first rule is that aircraft always have the rightway. So if a plane hits a catering truck it's the truck drivers fault. If a plane hits another plane it's the controllers fault. The captain can not see the wing tip of his airplane, unless you are in a Cessna. I as a mechanic have to struggle to see maybe if you are lucky about 1" of the wingtip. To do this you would need to move your head to the most forward corner of the left or right window, and keep it there. That is not a safe way to taxi the aircraft. The ATC controller knows how big the planes are, and the sizes of the taxi and runways are. So it's their poor judgement that's the real cause. The pilots and mechanics are trained to stay on the yellow centerline so wing tips don't collide. So everyone needs to stop blaming the captains or the airlines.

18 Jul22:17

With all due respect, if you

By Captjman

With all due respect, if you hit a cateringtruck that is sitting still you are in for a carpetdance at the chief pilots office and possible some time off. (Without pay)