Bombardier Inc DHC-8-402 N341NG accident near Dulles, Virginia

Probable cause

the A330 flightcrew's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the tail of the DHC-8-400 that was stopped on the lead in line of the gate.

NTSB analysis

On August 10, 2012, at about 3:15 PM EDT, Lufthansa flight 417, an Airbus A330, D-AIKE, collided with Colgan Air flight 3912, d.b.a. United Express, a Bombardier DHC-8-400, N341NG, while the Airbus was taxiing for takeoff at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. At the time of the accident, the DHC-8 was stopped and waiting for ramp workers to assist with parking at gate A1C. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. The DHC-8 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the Airbus sustained minor damage to its right wingtip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The DHC-8 landed on runway 19C at IAD and proceeded on taxiway (TWY) A after exiting the runway. After arriving in the ramp area, ramp control cleared the flight to proceed to gate of A1C via TWY A5, which required crossing TWY B. The captain stopped the aircraft short of the gate on the lead in line and set the parking brake because there were no ramp workers present to marshal the airplane in.

The A330 was pushed back from gate B49 and cleared to taxi towards TWY J via TWY B and to "hold short of A5." Prior to reaching A5, the flight was cleared to proceed to TWY J. Shortly after this, the captain saw the DHC-8 stopped near the gate and reduced taxi speed and asked the first officer if there was sufficient space on the right side for the A330 to pass. The first officer replied that the DHC-8 appeared to be at its proper parking space and that there was enough room. As the A330 taxied past, its winglet struck the DCH-8 rudder and vertical stabilizer. The A330 crew stated they never received any notification from ground control or ramp control that the DCH-8 was obstructing the taxiway or not in its parking position.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA12CA122 for the full record.