On June 10, 1997, a Douglas DC-10-30F (registration N302FE) was involved in an aviation accident near Chicago, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the lack of communications to assure safe operations between aircraft on a non-movement area. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A FedEx DC-10 and a Japan Airlines B-747 had insufficient clearance on taxiways. The FedEx crew reversed thrust to create space, and the JAL aircraft moved right to avoid collision.
Incident Overview
A FedEx DC-10, after landing on runway 14L, was instructed to remain on the local control frequency. The aircraft taxied toward the southwest cargo ramp and turned onto taxiway Kilo 1, where it held position after observing a Japan Airlines B-747 taxiing out of the ramp area onto taxiway Kilo 2.
Near Collision
The crew of the FedEx DC-10 determined that there was insufficient clearance between the two aircraft. The FedEx crew then called the JAL aircraft on the local control frequency to warn of the impending collision. The FedEx DC-10 captain applied reverse thrust, moving the aircraft approximately 15 to 20 feet backward on taxiway Kilo 1. Meanwhile, the JAL B-747 moved to the right side of the centerline and continued taxiing on taxiway Kilo 2, operating on the outbound ground controller's frequency.
Location Notes
Both aircraft were in a non-movement area at the time of the incident.
