Ground collision between Boeing 757 and Boeing 737 during pushback

Casualties unknown • Chicago, IL, US

A Boeing 757 operated by ATA collided with a parked Boeing 737 operated by SWA during a gate pushback operation in light rain.

What happened

During a ground movement operation, an ATA Boeing 757 collided with a parked SWA Boeing 737. The incident occurred while the Boeing 757 was being pushed back from its gate. According to witnesses, the SWA aircraft was stationary at its gate at the time of the impact.

As the pushback progressed, the wing walkers for the ATA aircraft observed that the plane was approaching too closely to the parked Boeing 737 and signaled the stop by putting up the "X" signal. However, the tug driver reported that visual contact with the wing walkers had been lost due to the position of the landing gear.

Following the collision, the captain of the ATA aircraft confirmed that the impact with the SWA Boeing 737 had occurred, after which the aircraft was pulled back into the gate. The weather at the time of the accident consisted of light rain.

Probable cause

The tug driver lost visual contact with the wing walkers due to the aircraft landing gear during the pushback maneuver.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-05-11 Boeing 757-33N accident near Chicago, IL?

A Boeing 757 operated by ATA collided with a parked Boeing 737 operated by SWA during a gate pushback operation in light rain.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-05-11 involved a Boeing 757-33N, registration N552TZ, operated by American Trans Air, at Chicago, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The tug driver lost visual contact with the wing walkers due to the aircraft landing gear during the pushback maneuver.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020520X00704. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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