McDonnell Douglas MD-88 N995DL

Summary

On 13 June 2013 at about 15:40 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88 registered N995DL, operated by Delta Air Lines Inc, was involved in an accident near Nashville, Tennessee, United States. 156 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 June 2013 at 15:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Nashville International (KBNA)

Coordinates

36.1214, -86.6736

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas MD-88

Registration

N995DL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Delta Air Lines Inc

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nashville → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DCA13CA106

Nobody was injured.

The flight crews failure to maintain clearance from the light pole while taxiing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

With an expected 20 to 25 minute hold time before departure, the airplane was pushed back from the gate and ground clearance was given for the flight crew to taxi to a hold area to wait. While positioning in the hold area, the airplane's right wing impacted a light pole. The passengers were deplaned via air stairs and no injuries occurred. An examination of the right wing by maintenance personnel revealed that the right wing spar had sustained substantial damage. The Captain, who was at the controls, reported that he had not seen the light pole before impact. The First Officer reported looking up and seeing the light pole; however, he observed that the Captain was turning away from the pole before the impact. It was further reported that there was no pre impact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane's flight controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.