NTSB Factual Report

On March 16, 2005, at 1258 eastern standard time, a Boeing 737-72T, N50TC, sustained minor damage when it struck a Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV, N874C, while taxiing from a ramp area at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, New Jersey. The Gulfstream was parked at the time, and sustained substantial damage. The two flight crewmembers, one flight attendant, and seven passengers onboard the Boeing; and the two flight crewmembers, one flight attendant, and one passenger onboard the Gulfstream were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for both flights. The Boeing was operated under 14 CFR Part 125, destined for Van Nuys, California. The Gulfstream was operated under 14 CFR Part 91, destined for Bedford, Massachusetts.

The flightcrew of the Boeing stated that they had ground personnel assisting with the taxi. As the Boeing began to taxi from the Signature Flight Support ramp, the flightcrew noted parked airplanes on both sides. As the Boeing passed the Gulfstream, the flightcrew felt the airplane rock, and the marshaller signaled to stop. The flightcrew stopped the airplane and realized that the left winglet of the Boeing contacted the rudder of the Gulfstream.

The flightcrew of the Gulfstream stated that they were parked at the Signature Flight Support ramp, had just completed the "After Start" checklist, and were about to request taxi clearance. A left yaw was noticed and the copilot saw the Boeing in his rearview mirror.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, ground personnel were in place to assist the Gulfstream for its taxi out of the ramp area. The Boeing began to taxi out of the ramp area without ground personnel assisting. As the Boeing converged on the parked Gulfstream, the ground personnel at the Gulfstream attempted to get the attention of the Boeing flightcrew; however, the left winglet of the Boeing struck the rudder of the Gulfstream. The rudder of the Gulfstream sustained substantial damage.

According to statements from two ground personnel, they were working with other aircraft on the ramp as the Boeing began to taxi toward the Gulfstream. One of the ground personnel was fueling an airplane to the Boeing's right side, and acted as a right wingwalker; however, he could not see the left side of the Boeing. The other ground personnel hurried from the parked Gulfstream to the taxi line in an attempt to assist the Boeing. He first signaled the Boeing to turn right, and when it did not, he signaled the Boeing to stop. The Boeing proceeded straight for another 5 to 10 seconds before stopping, and struck the Gulfstream.

Review of a surveillance video revealed a person standing near a parked Gulfstream. The Boeing began to taxi near a fence without ground personnel assisting. As the Boeing continued to taxi and approached the parked Gulfstream, the person near the Gulfstream moved quickly to the taxi line ahead of the Boeing. Due to the quality of the video, the person's hand signals could not be verified, and he was beyond the sight of the camera at the time of collision.

The reported weather at EWR, at 1251, was: wind from 320 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 21 knots; visibility 10 miles; few clouds at 5,000 feet; broken ceiling at 25,000 feet; temperature 45 degrees F.; dew point 12 degrees F.; altimeter 30.03 inches Hg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The Boeing flightcrew's misjudged clearance of the parked Gulfstream during taxi, which resulted in a ground collision.