Event Details
On December 4, 2010, at approximately 2121 central standard time, a Boeing 747-47UF freighter operated by Atlas Air Inc. as flight 7552 struck the horizontal stabilizer of a parked Bombardier CL-600-2C10 regional jet operated by Mesa Airlines Inc. as flight 7246. The incident occurred at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois. The 747 was taxiing for takeoff, while the regional jet was holding short of its gate area. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and both flights were operating under instrument flight rules flight plans.
The 747 sustained minor damage to its right wing, while the regional jet experienced substantial damage to its horizontal stabilizer. No injuries were reported among the four crew members on the Atlas Air flight or the two pilots, two flight attendants, and 29 passengers aboard the Mesa Airlines aircraft. The Atlas Air flight was a non-scheduled domestic cargo operation, and the Mesa Airlines flight was a scheduled domestic passenger service, both conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121.
Aircraft Information
The Atlas Air Boeing 747-47UF, registered as N499MC, has a wingspan ranging from 211 feet 5 inches to 213 feet, depending on fuel loading. The Mesa Airlines Bombardier CL-600-2C10, registered as N502MJ, has an overall length of 106 feet 8 inches. Aerial images of taxiway A abeam gate C-4 show that the distance from the centerline of taxiway A to its dashed edgeline is about 38 feet, and to the non-movement area markings is about 129 feet.
Witness Accounts
The captain of the Mesa Airlines flight stated that after landing, the flight was directed to taxi to gate C-4. The crew contacted C-ramp control and were cleared to taxi into the gate area and hold short. They taxied to the gate line and waited to be marshaled in. The captain noticed the 747 taxiing behind their airplane and felt the airplane rock, initially attributing it to jet blast. Ramp personnel who parked the regional jet informed the crew of the contact with the 747. After exiting the aircraft, the crew observed substantial damage on the lower side of the right horizontal stabilizer. They subsequently informed an air traffic controller that the 747 had struck their aircraft with its wing.
The Atlas Air captain reported that while taxiing on taxiway A7, they approached the parked regional jet on the right. The captain asked the first officer to check wingtip clearance, and the first officer responded that clearance existed. The captain then stated they would deviate slightly left of centerline for extra clearance. An air traffic controller later informed the crew that a regional jet reported being struck by the 747. The Atlas Air flight taxied to T10 pad, where airport rescue and firefighting personnel observed damage to the right winglet.
The Atlas Air first officer indicated that based on the time of night, field conditions, and lighting, he thought they had enough clearance to taxi past the regional jet. He noted that this flight was his initial operating experience out of ORD. A flightcrew member in the outboard jumpseat reported feeling the airplane shudder, and the captain attributed it to jet blast from a preceding 767.
Aftermath
Mesa Airlines provided flight data recorder data from the accident flight, and a video from an airport camera of the C-4 gate area was reviewed. Both the video and FDR data confirmed that the regional jet was stationary when it was struck by the 747 taxiing on taxiway A7. The Federal Aviation Administration Aeronautical Information Manual notes that taxiway centerline markings provide a visual cue but do not guarantee wingtip clearance. Additionally, 14 CFR Part 91.113 requires vigilance to see and avoid other aircraft.