Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B N277MJ
22 May 2003 · Flushing, New York, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 22 May 2003 at about 02:10 local time, a Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B registered N277MJ, operated by Colgan Air dba US Airways Express, was involved in an accident near Flushing, New York, United States. 18 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 02:10
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Flushing, New York, United States
- Nearest airport
- La Guardia Airport (LGA)
- Coordinates
- 40.7772, -73.8725
- Aircraft
- Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B
- Registration
- N277MJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Colgan Air dba US Airways Express
- Operating rule
- Part 121: Air Carrier
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- New York → Manchester
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- NYC03LA114
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
Probable cause
The inadequate visual lookout and inadequate crew coordination of the Dassault DA-50 flightcrew while taxiing, which resulted in an on ground collision with a taxing Saab 340B. A factor in the accident was the dark night.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The Dassault was issued taxi instructions from the ground controller, which included holding short of taxiway Echo. The PIC of the Dassault understood it as, "make two left turns and taxi to runway 13 for takeoff, via taxiways F and BB." While taxing north on taxiway BB, the Dassault collided with a Saab 340B at the intersections of taxiway's BB and E. The PIC added that both he and the co-pilot had their heads down in the cockpit as they were conducting checklists at the time of the collision. According to the captain of the Saab, he received instructions from the ground controller to cross runway 4, make a right hand turn onto "[taxiway] CC," and continue to runway 13. After crossing runway 4, the captain of the Saab "noted a Dassault airplane taxiing on '[taxiway] BB,' but had heard his 'hold short' instruction and called for the taxi checklist." As the Saab flightcrew was in the process of completing the taxi checklist, the Dassault struck their airplane from the left. Examination of taxiway BB, during the hours of darkness, by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that there were no taxiway indicator markers informing a pilot that taxiway E was approaching. The inspector noted that taxiway BB, and its intersection with taxiway E, was dimly lit with ambient lighting, although centerline lighting was available. Review of FAA Advisory Circular 120-74, Part 91 Pilot and Flightcrew Procedures During Taxi Operations and Part 135 Single Pilot operations, revealed, "For aircraft operations where more than one pilot is in the cockpit/flight deck, the flightcrew should plan the timing and execution of aircraft checklists and company communications at the appropriate times and locations so the pilot who is not taxiing the aircraft can be available to participate in verbal coordination with the pilot who is taxiing the aircraft. This action is needed to confirm compliance with ATC taxi instructions at the appropriate times and locations. When planning these tasks, flightcrews should also consider the anticipated duration of the taxi operation, the locations of complex intersections and runway crossings, and the visibility along the taxi route. When conducting airport surface operations, you should always be aware of your situation as it relates to other aircraft operations going on around you as well as to other vehicles moving on the airport. You should know your aircraft's precise location on the movement area."
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B | N277MJ | Colgan Air dba US Airways Express | Substantial |
| Dassault DA-50 | N664B | North American Air Charter, Inc. | Minor |
Other Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Sep 2002 | Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340A | Detroit, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Feb 2004 | Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340A | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | Shuttle America | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jul 2002 | Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340A | Charleston, West Virginia, United States | Mesaba Aviation Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 14 Nov 2004 | Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Chicago Express Airlines Inc | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Sep 2001 | Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340B | Tijuana, Mexico | Aerolitoral Airlines | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 Jun 2005 | Saab-Scania Ab (Saab) 340A | Dulles, Virginia, United States | Shuttle America Corporation | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2003 | Piper PA-28-180 | Montgomery, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jun 2003 | Mooney M20J | Montauk, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jan 2003 | Boeing 757-251 | Flushing, New York, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Jan 2003 | Piper PA-28-180 | Poughkeepsie, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 Mar 2003 | Bell 47D | Princetown, New York, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 May 2003 | Piper PA-23-250 | Buffalo, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |