NTSB Factual Report

On May 19, 1995, about 2033 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 767-383ER, LNRCK, operated by Scandinavian Airline System (SAS), as Flight 908 (SK908), collided on the ground with a Boeing 737-500, N13624, operated by Continental Airlines, Inc., as Flight 1439 (CO1419), at the Newark International Airport, Newark, New Jersey. Both airplanes received minor damage, and there were no injuries to the flightcrews or the passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and IFR flight plans had been filed. The flights were being conducted under 14 CFR Part 121.

CO1439, destined for St. Louis, Missouri, was parked on taxiway "D" waiting for departure clearance. SK908, destined for Oslo, Norway, was parked behind CO1439, but had received it's departure clearance first. SK908 was instructed by Newark Control Tower to taxi past CO1439 to the active runway. In the process of accomplishing this maneuver, the left wing tip of the SAS 767-383ER, impacted the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the Continental 737-500.

According to the Captain of CO1439, the configuration of the airplane at the time of impact was, "...on taxiway centerline, parking brake set, #1 engine running only (due to ATC delays), and APU running." After impact the Captain shut down the engine and the APU.

There were no fuel leaks, and neither airplane required evacuation of the passengers. Both airplanes were towed back to the gates.

The Newark weather at 2035 was; 13,000 scattered, visibility 20 miles, temperature 59 degrees F, dew point 49 degrees F, wind 310 degrees, 5 knots, altimeter 29.68 inches Hg.

Several attempts were made to get the flight crew's interpretation of the events from SAS, but all the attempts were unsuccessful.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot of the B-767, LNRCK, misjudged clearance between his airplane and the B-737, N13624, resulting in an on-ground collision.