Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR and Boeing 757 232 accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 23, 2014
On October 23, 2014, 2 aircraft, Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR (N622CZ) and Boeing 757 232 (N67171), were involved in the same accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota (Minneapolis St Paul airport). No one was hurt; 272 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the B757 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the wingtip of the ERJ-170. Contributing to the accident was the positioning of the ERJ-170 by the Compass ground personnel.
the B757 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the wingtip of the ERJ-170. Contributing to the accident was the positioning of the ERJ-170 by the Compass ground personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 23, 2014
- Place
- Minneapolis, Minnesota · Minneapolis St Paul · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 272 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR 200LR, built 2008 · all ERJ 170 200 LRs on the register
- Registration
- N622CZ · no longer on the register · serial 17000219
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
- Aircraft 2
- Boeing 757 232 232, built 2001 · all 757 232s on the register
- Registration
- N67171 · registry record · serial 30839
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative for the Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR final · quoted from the NTSB record
The ERJ-170 had been pushed back from gate G4 and positioned facing northwest on taxiway B with its parking brake set. The B757 was taxiing along taxiway A and the captain reported that he observed the ERJ-170 and ground personnel, however, it was difficult to judge the distance so he offset his taxi to the left to "be on the safe side". He reported the presence of the wing walker gave him "a false sense of security." The wing walker reported he signaled with his lighted wands for the B757 to stop but it was too late and the airplanes collided. The left wing spar of the ERJ-170 was fractured, resulting in substantial damage, and the B757 experienced minor damage to its right wing leading edge slat. In the vicinity of the collision, taxiway B has a distinct bend which brings it closer to taxiway A. Weather at the time of the event was reported as night visual conditions.
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 757 232 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The ERJ-170 had been pushed back from gate G4 and positioned facing northwest on taxiway B with its parking brake set. The B757 was taxiing along taxiway A and the captain reported that he observed the ERJ-170 and ground personnel, however, it was difficult to judge the distance so he offset his taxi to the left to "be on the safe side". He reported the presence of the wing walker gave him "a false sense of security." The wing walker reported he signaled with his lighted wands for the B757 to stop but it was too late and the airplanes collided. The left wing spar of the ERJ-170 was fractured, resulting in substantial damage, and the B757 experienced minor damage to its right wing leading edge slat. In the vicinity of the collision, taxiway B has a distinct bend which brings it closer to taxiway A. Weather at the time of the event was reported as night visual conditions.
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 Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during pushback/towing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot of other aircraft
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Towing and taxiing › Towing › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 4,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Seats: 83
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Compass Airlines
The flight
- Departed from: MSP Minneapolis MN
- Destination: SDF Louisville KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 140° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast; scat
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 4 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 76 |
The factual record for the Boeing 757 232 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 › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Towing and taxiing › Towing › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,819 hours in all; 622 in this make and model; 167 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: February 17, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 10,707 hours in all; 502 in this make and model; 161 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 25, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 45,727 hours
- Last inspection: type not recorded, September 1, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 241,000 lb
- Seats: 192
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P & W PW2037 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: P & W PW2037 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Delta Air Lines INC
The flight
- Departed from: KMSP Minneapolis MN at 11:50 pm
- Destination: KLAX Los Angeles CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 6 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 182 |
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.