Plane Crash List

Boeing 737-347 N308WA

16 August 2001 · DFW Airport, Texas, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 16 August 2001 at about 15:24 local time, a Boeing 737-347 registered N308WA, operated by Delta Air Lines Inc, was involved in an incident near DFW Airport, Texas, United States. 190 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 15:24
Classification
Incident
Location
DFW Airport, Texas, United States
Nearest airport
Dallas/Fort Worth Int'l (DFW)
Coordinates
32.8964, -97.0375
Aircraft
Boeing 737-347
Registration
N308WA
Category
Airplane
Engines
2
Operating rule
Part 121: Air Carrier
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
DFW Airport → Oakland
Aircraft damage
Minor
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
FTW01IA183

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
190 0 0 0 190

Probable cause

The local controller clearing the taxiing aircraft to cross the runway in front of the aircraft on takeoff roll. Contributing factors were the local controller's failure to follow FAA procedures and directives to visually scan the runway prior to issuing the crossing clearance, the local controller’s excessive workload, and the tower supervisor's inadequate supervision.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A Boeing 737 was cleared to takeoff on runway 18L at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. After landing on runway 18R, another Boeing 737 took the high speed exit onto taxiway Whiskey Mike and was cleared to cross runway 18L. The pilots of both aircraft saw a possible impending collision and took evasive action. The taxiing aircraft continued to the gate and deplaned the passengers. The departing aircraft continued the takeoff, returned to the airport and landed. Examination of this airplane revealed damage to the skin on the underside of the tail. At the time of the runway incursion, the West air traffic control tower's ground control west one and local west one controller positions were combined. The west air traffic control tower supervisor-in-charge was operating the flight data position along with performing his own supervisory duties. During this time, a National Air Traffic Controllers Association representative had entered the tower cab and was having a meeting with the supervisor-in-charge. In an interview, the incident controller reported that he did not scan runway 18L before clearing the taxiing aircraft to cross. FAA Order 7110.65, Air Traffic Control Handbook, paragraph 3-1-3, "Use of Active Runways," states, "The local controller has primary responsibility for operations conducted on the active runway and must control the use of those runways." Paragraph 3-1-12, "Visually Scanning Runways," states that, "Local controllers shall visually scan runways to the maximum extent possible."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Aircraft involved

Aircraft Registration Operator Damage
Boeing 737-347 N308WA Delta Air Lines Inc Minor
Boeing 737-524 N33635 Continental Airlines Inc -

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All 1,317 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
14 Jun 2001 Cessna 340A
N820B
Lancaster, Texas, United States - No injuries -
1 May 2001 Mitsubishi MU-2B-40
N16CG
The Woodlands, Texas, United States - Fatal 2
23 Aug 2001 Piper PA-46-310P
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Bulverde, Texas, United States Mr. Jan M. Klinck & Mr. Gary K. Klinck Fatal 1
30 Apr 2001 Cessna 172N
N6388F
Marfa, Texas, United States - Minor injuries -
27 Apr 2001 Hughes 269B
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Nacogdoches, Texas, United States - Minor injuries -
23 Aug 2001 Piper PA-18-150
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Van Horn, Texas, United States - Minor injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States