Bombardier Inc CL 600 2B19 N862AS and Airbus A321 231 N991AU accident near Chicago, Illinois

Probable cause

the A321 flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between the aircraft, leading to the inadvertent collision with the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ200. Contributing to the accident was traffic congestion that resulted in the CRJ200 having to stop prior to fully clearing the perpendicular taxiway.

the A321 flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between the aircraft, leading to the inadvertent collision with the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ700. Contributing to the accident was traffic congestion that resulted in the CRJ700 having to stop prior to fully clearing the perpendicular taxiway.

NTSB analysis

On June 30, 2017 at 2130 central daylight time, the wingtip ("sharklet") of an Airbus A321, N991AU, operated by American Airlines flight 1162, contacted the horizontal stabilizer of a Bombardier CRJ200, N862AS, operated by SkyWest Airlines d.b.a. Eagle Flight 3047, during taxi at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The A321 received minor damage and the CRJ200 was substantially damaged. There were no injuries aboard either aircraft. The CRJ200 had landed and taxied to the terminal and had been instructed by air traffic control to follow another aircraft on taxiway A7. Another aircraft ahead stopped unexpectedly and the line of traffic ending with the CRJ200, had to stop. The A321 was taxiing along taxiway A, perpendicular to A7, and maneuvered to go around the protruding tail of the CRJ200. However, the left sharklet wingtip of the A321 contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ200.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA17CA147 for the full record.