Boeing 757-351 and Boeing 737-732 accident near Atlanta, Georgia, December 9, 2011
On December 9, 2011, 2 aircraft, Boeing 757-351 (N583NW) and Boeing 737-732 (N303DQ), were involved in the same accident near Atlanta, Georgia (Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta I). No one was hurt; 279 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the captain of N303DQ to maintain a safe clearance from N583NW that was stopped on the taxiway.
the failure of the captain of N303DQ to maintain a safe clearance from N583NW that was stopped on the taxiway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 9, 2011
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia · Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta I · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 279 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Boeing 757-351 · all 757-351s on the register
- Registration
- N583NW · registry record · serial 32983
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
- Aircraft 2
- Boeing 737-732 · all 737-732s on the register
- Registration
- N303DQ · no longer on the register · serial 29688
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative for the Boeing 757-351 final · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 8, 2011, Delta Airlines flight 2036, a Boeing 737-700, N303DQ, collided with Delta Airlines flight 787, a Boeing 757-300, N583NW, while N303DQ was taxiing to the gate after landing at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (KATL), Atlanta, Georgia. At the time of the accident, N583NW was stopped on the taxiway. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. N583NW received substantial damage to its right horizontal stabilizer and elevator and N303DQ sustained minor damage to its left winglet. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. After landing on runway 9R, N303DQ exited onto taxiway N10 and was directed by the local controller to "make a right turn on taxiway N, snug up on a 757, your gate is occupied." The B757, N583NW, was stopped on taxiway N east of taxiway J, facing east, awaiting clearance to taxi to their gate. N303DQ stopped on taxiway N, west of taxiway J. Approximately 15 minutes later, the local controller directed N303DQ to make a right turn on taxiway J and hold short of runway 9R to taxi the flight to ramp 1 via taxiway R. The captain of N303DQ indicated that he looked out his left window and it appeared there was sufficient clearance with the N583NW, however, the flight crew felt the airplane shudder as the turn was completed and stopped the airplane ahead. Immediately, N583DQ reported to the local controller that they thought that their airplane had been hit from behind. The captain of N303DQ confirmed to the local controller that their left winglet was damaged. Airport rescue crews were dispatched and inspected both aircraft and then both airplanes taxied to their gates without further incident. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on N583NW were substantially damaged.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Boeing 737-732 final · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 8, 2011, Delta Airlines flight 2036, a Boeing 737-700, N303DQ, collided with Delta Airlines flight 787, a Boeing 757-300, N583NW, while N303DQ was taxiing to the gate after landing at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (KATL), Atlanta, Georgia. At the time of the accident, N583NW was stopped on the taxiway. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. N583NW received substantial damage to its right horizontal stabilizer and elevator and N303DQ sustained minor damage to its left winglet. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. After landing on runway 9R, N303DQ exited onto taxiway N10 and was directed by the local controller to "make a right turn on taxiway N, snug up on a 757, your gate is occupied." The B757, N583NW, was stopped on taxiway N east of taxiway J, facing east, awaiting clearance to taxi to their gate. N303DQ stopped on taxiway N, west of taxiway J. Approximately 15 minutes later, the local controller directed N303DQ to make a right turn on taxiway J and hold short of runway 9R to taxi the flight to ramp 1 via taxiway R. The captain of N303DQ indicated that he looked out his left window and it appeared there was sufficient clearance with the N583NW, however, the flight crew felt the airplane shudder as the turn was completed and stopped the airplane ahead. Immediately, N583DQ reported to the local controller that they thought that their airplane had been hit from behind. The captain of N303DQ confirmed to the local controller that their left winglet was damaged. Airport rescue crews were dispatched and inspected both aircraft and then both airplanes taxied to their gates without further incident. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on N583NW were substantially damaged.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Boeing 757-351 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during standing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Visual illusion/disorientation › Pilot of other aircraft
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot of other aircraft
The aircraft
- Seats: 275
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P&W PW2040 (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W PW2040 (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Operator: Delta Air Lines INC
The flight
- Departed from: MSP Minneapolis MN
- Destination: ATL Atlanta GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 5 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 202 |
The factual record for the Boeing 737-732 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Perception › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,781 hours in all; 7,309 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 15, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,456 hours in all; 2,118 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 24, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 149
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cfm Intl CFM56 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cfm Intl CFM56 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Delta Air Lines INC
The flight
- Departed from: EYW Key West FL
- Destination: ATL Atlanta GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 3 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 65 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.