Accident Overview
On May 1, 2018, at about 2:53 pm EDT, a ground collision occurred at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK) in Queens, New York, between two regularly scheduled passenger flights operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. Endeavor Air Flight 3413, a CRJ900 registered as N606LR, was struck by Delta Air Lines Flight 212, a B767-300ER registered as N172DN, while waiting to be marshalled into a gate. At the time of the accident, day visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Sequence of Events
According to flight crew statements, both airplanes conducted normal landings and were cleared to taxi to their respective gates. Delta 212 was taxiing to gate B30 and following behind Endeavor 3413 as it turned into gate B30. The captain of Endeavor 3413 stated that he had stopped short of the gate to await the ground crew. The captain of Delta 212 indicated that as they approached the airplane, he noticed that the wing walkers had stopped the Endeavor airplane prior to its gate, and so he stopped prior to entering the ramp area. When the Endeavor airplane started to move forward into the gate, he began to slowly taxi behind it. However, the captain indicated that he lost sight of the airplane out the right window. He indicated that he turned slightly to the left (away from Endeavor 3413) after his first officer advised him to provide additional clearance to ensure adequate separation. After he thought they would be safely clear of the airplane, he then turned back onto the taxiway centerline. As the airplane continued taxiing to the gate, the Delta flight crew heard over ramp control that they had struck Endeavor 3413.
Damage
After parking, both airplanes were inspected. Delta 212's right winglet sustained minor damage, and Endeavor 3413 sustained substantial damage to its horizontal and vertical stabilizer.