Probable cause
Inadequate ground separation maintained by the pilot of the Embraer E170.
NTSB analysis
On February 17, 2008, at 1019 EST, an Embraer E170, N828MD, operated by Republic Airlines as flight 3416 destined to Rochester, NY, collided during taxi in the runup area of taxiway J at the north end of runway 19, with an Airbus 319, N752US, operated by US Airways as flight 2166 destined to New York LaGuardia airport. The right aileron of the Airbus was substantially damaged, the left winglet of the Embraer had minor damage. There were no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The pilot of the E170 reported that he was positioned to the right of the Airbus, and observed a B737 approaching the runup area from taxiway J to his right. ATC cleared the Republic flight for departure, which required them to taxi past the Airbus. The captain stated that he checked the proximity of the Airbus, and it looked like he could clear it and then felt the impact. The captain notified ATC of the collision. Airport fire crews responded, but there was no fuel leak or fire. The crew of the Airbus reported that they were stationary with the parking brake applied while awaiting ATC clearance.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA08CA041 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 17, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Nearest airport
- Washington Reagan (KDCA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.