Ground Collision: Boeing 737, N929NN; accident occurred January 8, 2020 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), New York, New York

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N929NN

Location: New York, NY
Accident Number: DCA20CA049
Date & Time: 01/08/2020, 1630 EST
Registration: N929NN
Aircraft: Boeing 737
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 121 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air Carrier - Scheduled

Analysis

On January 8, 2020, about 0630 eastern standard time, American Airlines flight 2632, a Boeing 737-823, N929NN, was damaged by a deicing truck. There were no injuries to the 2 pilots, 4 flight attendants, or 115 passengers on board. The airplane received substantial damage. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from LaGuardia Airport, New York, New York, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas, Texas.

The captain stated that while sitting at gate C7 performing preflight duties he felt the aircraft "shudder". He stated that the first officer then looked out the window on his side and noticed a deicing truck behind the right wing. As he continued observing the first officer said they felt the airplane shudder again as the deicing truck pulled out from under the wing.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
failure of the deicing truck driver to maintain appropriate clearance from the airplane. 

Findings

Personnel issues
Use of equip/system - Ground crew (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Standing-engine(s) not oper
Ground collision (Defining event) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 53, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:  
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/13/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/12/2019
Flight Time:  8685 hours (Total, all aircraft), 6758 hours (Total, this make and model)

Co-Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age:44, Male 
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed:No 
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/21/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/30/2019
Flight Time: 1463 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1463 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Boeing
Registration: N929NN
Model/Series: 737 823
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Amateur Built:No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Transport
Serial Number: 33322
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 174200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Fan
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: CFM
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: 56-7B
Registered Owner: Wells Fargo Trust Co Na Trustee
Rated Power:
Operator: American Airlines
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Flag carrier (121)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Unknown
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: New York, NY (KLGA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Dallas, TX (KDFW)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0659 EST
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: LaGuardia Airport (KLGA)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 20 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used:N/A 
IFR Approach:None 
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 6 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 115 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 121 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.776944, -73.873889