1987-10-09: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 — American Airlines, Inc.…

1987-10-09: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 — American Airlines, Inc. — Ontario, CA

Casualties unknown • Ontario, CA, US

Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT TO VISUALLY IDENTIFY THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. FACTURES CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE GENERAL AVIAITON AIRCRAFT TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC PRIOR TO ENTERING THE ARSA AND MAINTAINING A POOR LOOKOUT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

WHILE CLIMBING THRU 6,500 FEET MSL IN AN ARSA, THE FLT CREW OF THE AAL DC-9-82 OBSERVED A SMALL AIRCRAFT APPROACHING THEIR AIRCRAFT FROM DEAD AHEAD. THE SMALL AIRCRAFT WAS AT THE SAME ALTITUDE AND APROX 1/4 MILE AHEAD OF THEIR POSITION. THE SMALL AIRCRAFT WAS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH ATC AND CONTINUED ITS COLLISION COURSE TOWARDS THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. THE DC-9-82 CREW INITIATED A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN AWAY FROM THE SMALL AIRCRAFT. THE CREW ESTIMATED THAT THE SMALL AIRCRAFT PASSED 50 FEET BELOW AND TO THE LEFT OF THEIR AIRCRAFT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1987-10-09 Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 accident near Ontario, CA?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1987-10-09 involved a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82, registration N413AA, operated by American Airlines, Inc., at Ontario, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?