Probable cause
failure of the deicing truck driver to maintain appropriate clearance from the airplane.
NTSB analysis
On January 8, 2020, about 0630 eastern standard time, American Airlines flight 2632, a Boeing 737-823, N929NN, was damaged by a deicing truck. There were no injuries to the 2 pilots, 4 flight attendants, or 115 passengers on board. The airplane received substantial damage. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from LaGuardia Airport, New York, New York, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas, Texas.
The captain stated that while sitting at gate C7 performing preflight duties he felt the aircraft "shudder". He stated that the first officer then looked out the window on his side and noticed a deicing truck behind the right wing. As he continued observing the first officer said they felt the airplane shudder again as the deicing truck pulled out from under the wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA20CA049 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 8, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- New York, New York
- Nearest airport
- Laguardia Airport (KLGA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Light
- Day
Boeing 737
- N-number
- N929NN
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2013
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
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.