Event DCA18CA165

Factual narrative

On May 1, 2018, at about 2:53 pm EDT, an Endeavor 3413, CRJ900, N606LR, was struck by Delta 212, B767-300ER, N172DN, while awaiting to be marshalled into the gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), Queens, New York. Both flights were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to flight crew statements, both airplanes conducted normal landings and were cleared to taxi to their respective gates. Delta 212 was taxing 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 airplane out the right window. He indicated that he turned slight 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 safety 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. After parking, both airplanes were inspected and it was found that Delta 212's right winglet sustained minor damage and Endeavor 3413 sustained substantial damage to its horizontal and vertical stabilizer. On May 1, 2018, at about 2:53 pm EDT, an Endeavor 3413, CRJ900, N606LR, was struck by Delta 212, B767-300ER, N172DN, while awaiting to be marshalled into the gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), Queens, New York.  Both flights were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights.  Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to flight crew statements, both airplanes conducted normal landings and were cleared to taxi to their respective gates.  Delta 212 was taxing 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 airplane out the right window.  He indicated that he turned slight 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 safety 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. After parking, both airplanes were inspected and it was found that Delta 212's right winglet sustained minor damage and Endeavor 3413 sustained substantial damage to its horizontal and vertical stabilizer.  Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot of other aircraft - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C