Incident Details
While taxiing east on Taxiway AA toward Gate A-48, an Airbus A320 collided with another Airbus A320 operated by the same company. The holding aircraft had been pushed back from Gate A-40 and was holding on the ramp for inbound traffic to clear.
Company Policy
According to company policy, aircraft departing from Concourse A were pushed back until the main landing gear wheels sat on the centerline of Taxiway AS, the northern taxiway. This procedure was designed to ensure that aircraft taxiing on Taxiway AA, the southern taxiway, maintained adequate wingtip clearance, approximately 30 feet, provided the taxiing aircraft's nose wheel stayed on the centerline.
Witness Account
A witness reported that the holding aircraft had been pushed back too far from Taxiway AS, while the taxiing aircraft's nose wheel was on the centerline of Taxiway AA. As the inbound aircraft taxied behind the holding aircraft, its left winglet cut through the bottom section of the holding aircraft's tail cone.
Crew Actions and Response
The flight crew on the inbound aircraft observed that the holding aircraft was positioned further from the gate than normal. They elected to increase wingtip clearance by moving approximately 5 to 6 feet to the right of the Taxiway AA centerline. As they approached the holding aircraft, the captain reduced forward speed to a crawl, determined that there was sufficient clearance between the two aircraft, and continued taxiing to the assigned gate. The flight crew on the holding aircraft felt a slight movement as the inbound aircraft passed behind them. Shortly thereafter, both flight crews were notified of the collision.