1991-07-27: Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80 — American Airlines — Dfw Airport, TX

Casualties unknown • Dfw Airport, TX, US

Probable cause

THE CAPTAIN MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRCRAFT AND THE STANDING COMMUTER AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE SECOND PILOT TO IDENTIFY A HYDROPLANE CONDITION.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

TWO COMMUTER AIRCRAFT WERE INSTRUCTED TO TAXI ON TAXIWAY F, TURN RIGHT INTO TAXIWAY 32, AND HOLD FOR DEPARTURE FROM RUNWAY 36R. THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY THE MD-80 WHICH REMAINED ON TAXIWAY F AND WAS CLEARED TO TAXI PAST AND BEHIND THE COMMUTERS. THE PILOT OF THE MD-80 ATTEMPTED TO TAXI BY THE STANDING AIRCRAFT. THE RIGHT WING TIP OF THE MD-80 STRUCK THE TAIL CONE AREA OF THE STANDING COMMUTER AIRPLANE. THE FIRST OFFICER OF THE MD-80 STATED HE AND HIS CAPTAIN WERE BUSY IN THE COCKPIT WHEN THE IMPACT OCCURRED.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-07-27 Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80 accident near Dfw Airport, TX?

TWO COMMUTER AIRCRAFT WERE INSTRUCTED TO TAXI ON TAXIWAY F, TURN RIGHT INTO TAXIWAY 32, AND HOLD FOR DEPARTURE FROM RUNWAY 36R. THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY THE MD-80 WHICH REMAINED ON TAXIWAY F AND WAS CLEARED TO TAXI PAST AND BEHIND THE COMMUTERS. THE PILOT OF THE MD-80 ATTEMPTED TO TAXI BY THE STANDING AIRCRAFT. THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-07-27 involved a Mcdonnell Douglas MD-80, registration N491AA, operated by American Airlines, at Dfw Airport, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE CAPTAIN MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRCRAFT AND THE STANDING COMMUTER AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE SECOND PILOT TO IDENTIFY A HYDROPLANE CONDITION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17570. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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