On January 19, 2006, a Boeing B777-200B (registration N798UA) was involved in an aviation accident near Denver, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The driver maneuvered the vehicle too close to the wing, and the boom operator cleared the wing for movement when it was not clear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft registered N798UA. Photo: skinnylawyer from Los Angeles, California, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A deicing truck's boom contacted an airplane's wing after the driver maneuvered too close and the operator cleared movement when not clear. Minor damage occurred.
Incident Overview
During deicing operations at a remote pad, a truck applied Type 4 fluid to the right rear quadrant and right wing of a parked airplane. The truck's boom was raised. The driver maneuvered the vehicle too close to the right wing's trailing edge near the aileron, causing the mid-section of the boom to contact the wing. The boom operator cleared the wing for movement when it was not actually clear.
Damage and Inspection
Both the airplane and truck sustained minor damage. An operational inspection of the deicing truck revealed no anomalies.
Weather Conditions
The routine aviation weather report indicated visibility of 1/2 statute miles with light snow and mist.
Probable cause
The driver maneuvered the vehicle too close to the wing, and the boom operator cleared the wing for movement when it was not clear.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 19 Jan 2006 Boeing B777-200B accident near Denver, CO?
A deicing truck's boom contacted an airplane's wing after the driver maneuvered too close and the operator cleared movement when not clear. Minor damage occurred.
Were there any fatalities in the 19 Jan 2006 Boeing B777-200B accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 19 Jan 2006 involved a Boeing B777-200B, registration N798UA, at Denver, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The driver maneuvered the vehicle too close to the wing, and the boom operator cleared the wing for movement when it was not clear.
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