Incident Overview
On September 12, 2017, at 1310 Pacific daylight time, United Airlines flight 447, a Boeing 737 (registration N69813), and Air Canada flight 785, a Boeing 767 (registration C-GHOZ), collided while taxiing on taxiway C near gate 69B at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, California. Both aircraft were operating regularly scheduled passenger flights. No injuries were reported aboard either airplane. The right winglet of the Boeing 737 sustained minor damage, and the right horizontal stabilizer of the Boeing 767 was substantially damaged.
Events Leading to the Collision
The Boeing 767 was being marshaled onto gate 69B and was instructed to stop approximately 15 feet short of the stop line because the gate is normally a tow-in gate. The flight crew shut down the engines and awaited ground crew to hook up the tow bar. White lines painted around each gate area aid ground vehicles driving on the ramp. The Boeing 767's tail protruded beyond these white lines, adjacent to and perpendicular to taxiway C.
The Boeing 737 was taxiing out for departure via taxiway C in accordance with air traffic control instructions. The captain reported seeing the Boeing 767 and maneuvered left of the centerline for more clearance. He asked the first officer, who was heads down making flight management system entries, to look and verify if they had enough clearance. The first officer reported he saw the Boeing 767 hooked up to the tug but was unsure if it was being towed. He judged there was about 5 feet of clearance and saw no action by the marshallers indicating they thought the airplanes were too close.
The Collision
As the Boeing 737 continued taxiing, its right winglet contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the Boeing 767. The flight crew reported they did not feel an impact but were informed by air traffic control that the collision had occurred. The Boeing 737 returned to the gate and deplaned passengers normally. The Boeing 767 was towed into the gate and deplaned passengers normally.
Surveillance Video
Surveillance video from Gate 69B was obtained and captured the event, showing the nosewheel of the Boeing 737 tracking along the yellow centerline of taxiway C.