Incident Overview
An ATR-42 and a Boeing B-747 were involved in a near midair collision at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) shortly after takeoff. The ATR-42 sustained no damage during the event. The incident was classified by the air traffic control facility as an operational error.
Sequence of Events
The B-747 had been cleared for takeoff from runway 14R by the south local controller. Subsequently, the ATR-42 was cleared for takeoff from runway 22L by the third local control position (3LC). As the ATR-42 was rotating, its pilots observed the B-747, which was airborne and to their right. The ATR-42 leveled off at 100 feet above ground level (agl) while the B-747 flew over the top of the ATR-42 with approximately 400 feet of vertical separation. After the B-747 passed, the ATR-42 resumed its climb and continued en route to its destination.
The flightcrew of the B-747 did not observe the ATR-42 and did not receive an alert from the tower. The B-747 continued en route to its destination.
Aftermath
Following the incident, the air traffic control facility developed new coordination measures between controllers in the tower.