Boeing 747 and Embraer EMB 135KL accident near Chicago, Illinois, May 30, 2012
On May 30, 2012 at about 6:00 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Boeing 747 (B16481) and Embraer EMB 135KL (N834AE), were involved in the same accident near Chicago, Illinois (Chicago O’Hare International airport). No one was hurt; 24 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the 747 flight crew's failure to maintain a safe clearance with the EMB-135 that was stopped on a taxiway.
the B747 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the tail of the EMB135 that was stopped on a taxiway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2012 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Chicago, Illinois · Chicago O’Hare International · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 24 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Boeing 747 45EF · all 747s on the register
- Registration
- B16481 · no longer on the register · serial 30607
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Flight · foreign airline rules (Part 129)
- Aircraft 2
- Embraer EMB 135KL NO SERIES, built 2002 · all EMB 135KLs on the register
- Registration
- N834AE · no longer on the register · serial 145631
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative for the Boeing 747 final · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 30, 2012, at about 1300 central daylight time, American Eagle Airlines flight 4265, an Embraer EMB-135, N834AE, was holding in the ramp area when it was struck by EVA Air flight 661, a Boeing 747-400, registration B16481, while the 747 was taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. The EMB-135 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the 747 received minor damage to its wingtip and slat. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crew on either airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The EMB-135 was holding in the ramp area with its tail protruding into taxiway (TWY) A while awaiting ground personnel to marshal them into gate G20. The 747 was initially parked at cargo bay SC6 and was instructed to taxi to runway 32L for departure. After crossing runway 28 and taxiing along TWY A, the 747 flight crew stated they saw the EMB-135 stopped short of gate G20. As the 747 approached the EMB-135, the captain stated that he knew it would be close and asked the other two flight crew members to help ensure there was enough wing tip clearance. Both of these crew members stated that there should be enough clearance based on their perspective in the cockpit. As the 747 taxied past the EMB-135, the leading edge slat of the B747 struck the vertical stabilizer of the EMB-135.
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 Embraer EMB 135KL final · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 30, 2012, at about 1300 central daylight time, American Eagle Airlines flight 4265, an Embraer EMB-135, N834AE, was holding in the ramp area when it was struck by EVA Air flight 661, a Boeing 747-400, registration B16481, while the 747 was taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. The EMB-135 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the 747 received minor damage to its wingtip and slat. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crew on either airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The EMB-135 was holding in the ramp area with its tail protruding into taxiway (TWY) A while awaiting ground personnel to marshal them into gate G20. The 747 was initially parked at cargo bay SC6 and was instructed to taxi to runway 32L for departure. After crossing runway 28 and taxiing along TWY A, the 747 flight crew stated they saw the EMB-135 stopped short of gate G20. As the 747 approached the EMB-135, the captain stated that he knew it would be close and asked the other two flight crew members to help ensure there was enough wing tip clearance. Both of these crew members stated that there should be enough clearance based on their perspective in the cockpit. As the 747 taxied past the EMB-135, the leading edge slat of the B747 struck the vertical stabilizer of the EMB-135.
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 747 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Perception › Flight crew
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Flight crew
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,661 hours in all; 6,244 in this make and model; 247 in the last 90 days; 93 in the last 30 days; 5,636 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 13, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,108 hours in all; 7,327 in this make and model; 212 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 14, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 57,114 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 16, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 870,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Ge CF6-80C2-B1F (turbofan); 46,425 hours total
- Engine 2: Ge CF6-80C2-B1F (turbofan); 69,788 hours total
- Engine 3: Ge CF6-80C2-B1F (turbofan); 57,571 hours total
- Engine 4: Ge CF6-80C2-B1F (turbofan); 62,738 hours total
- Operator: Eva Airways CORP
The flight
- Departed from: ORD Chicago IL
- Destination: ANC Anchorage AK
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,700 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from ORD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 3 |
The factual record for the Embraer EMB 135KL from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during standing (engine(s) operating) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Perception › Pilot of other aircraft
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,421 hours in all; 6,171 in this make and model; 169 in the last 90 days; 42 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 17, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,386 hours in all; 201 in the last 90 days; 86 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 15, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 24,059 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 26, 2012
- Seats: 44
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Rolls Royce CAE311602 (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Rolls Royce CAE312447 (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Operator: American Airlines INC
The flight
- Departed from: SGF Springfield MO at 4:41 pm
- Destination: ORD Chicago IL
- Flight plan: IFR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 18 |
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.