McDonnell Douglas MD-88 N911DL

Summary

On 2 July 2002 at about 14:22 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88 registered N911DL, operated by Delta Airlines, was involved in an accident near Houston, Texas, United States. 63 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

2 July 2002 at 14:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Houston, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

William P. Hobby (HOU)

Coordinates

29.6453, -95.2789

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas MD-88

Registration

N911DL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Delta Airlines

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Atlanta → Houston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW02LA199

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the parked vehicles. Factors contributing to the accident were the airport's failure to properly identify the construction area, their failure to publish a notice to airmen.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After landing on runway 12R, the MD-88 aircraft was cleared by ground control to "cross runway 22 and taxi to the gate." The pilot taxied on taxiway Zulu, which is parallel to taxiway Yankee. Taxiway Zulu was closed due to construction; however, the construction was not posted on the ATIS, NOTAM's, or dispatcher's release from the company. The ground controller also failed to mention to the flight that taxiway Zulu was closed. The left wing of the taxiing air carrier collided with a parked forklift and a truck and trailer loaded with aluminum siding material while taxiing to gate 26. The pilot stated that he taxied the airplane on the centerline of the taxiway and he was not aware of the collision until he arrived at the terminal.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.