Boeing 737-7H4 and Boeing 737-8H4 accident near Chicago, Illinois, May 21, 2021
On May 21, 2021 at about 5:30 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Boeing 737-7H4 (N289CT) and Boeing 737-8H4 (N8686A), were involved in the same accident near Chicago, Illinois (Midway airport). No one was hurt; 214 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 flight crew of N8686A to provide sufficient clearance while taxiing past N289CT, which was stopped.
the failure of the flight crew of N8686A to provide sufficient clearance while taxiing past N289CT, which was stopped.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 2021 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Chicago, Illinois · Midway · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 214 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Boeing 737-7H4 700, built 2007 · all 737-7H4s on the register
- Registration
- N289CT · registry record · serial 36633
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
- Aircraft 2
- Boeing 737-8H4 800, built 2016 · all 737-8H4s on the register
- Registration
- N8686A · registry record · serial 36938
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative for the Boeing 737-7H4 final · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 21, 2021, at about 1230 central daylight time, two Southwest B737’s collided while taxiing near the gate area at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago, Illinois. There were no injuries to the passengers and crew onboard either airplane. One airplane was substantially damaged and the other received minor damage. According to the operator, after landing, N289CT taxied to the assigned gate B-15 and was awaiting the ground marshalling crew. The flight crew of N289CT reported that they positioned the airplane on the J-line leading to the gate parking spot and set the brake while awaiting the ground crew. The marshallers arrived and began to signal the crew into the gate. Shortly after releasing the parking brake, the flight crew reported feeling the airplane shudder. The captain looked out the left window and noticed the N8686A taxiing behind with damage to its right winglet. N289CT then proceeded to the gate and deplaned with no further incident. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both elevators. N8686A was cleared to taxi from gate B14 to runway 22L via taxiways T and Y. While taxiing NE on taxiway Y, the aircraft's right winglet struck the aft portion of N289CT's horizontal stabilizer. N8686A taxied back to the gate. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed minor damage to the right winglet.
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 737-8H4 final · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 21, 2021, at about 1230 central daylight time, two Southwest B737’s collided while taxiing near the gate area at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago, Illinois. There were no injuries to the passengers and crew onboard either airplane. One airplane was substantially damaged and the other received minor damage. According to the operator, after landing, N289CT taxied to the assigned gate B-15 and was awaiting the ground marshalling crew. The flight crew of N289CT reported that they positioned the airplane on the J-line leading to the gate parking spot and set the brake while awaiting the ground crew. The marshallers arrived and began to signal the crew into the gate. Shortly after releasing the parking brake, the flight crew reported feeling the airplane shudder. The captain looked out the left window and noticed the N8686A taxiing behind with damage to its right winglet. N289CT then proceeded to the gate and deplaned with no further incident. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both elevators. N8686A was cleared to taxi from gate B14 to runway 22L via taxiways T and Y. While taxiing NE on taxiway Y, the aircraft's right winglet struck the aft portion of N289CT's horizontal stabilizer. N8686A taxied back to the gate. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed minor damage to the right winglet.
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 737-7H4 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 25,000 hours in all; 22,000 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days; 20,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,300 hours in all; 3,274 in this make and model; 213 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 5,300 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 155,000 lb
- Seats: 151
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B24 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B24 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Southwest Airlines CO
The flight
- Departed from: KIAD Washington DC at 3:46 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KMDW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 7 | |||
| Passengers | 100 |
The factual record for the Boeing 737-8H4 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
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Flight crew
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 18,485 hours in all; 4,050 in this make and model; 171 in the last 90 days; 55 in the last 30 days; 13,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 20, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,564 hours in all; 2,606 in this make and model; 154 in the last 90 days; 33 in the last 30 days; 1,400 as pilot in command; 300 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 5, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 17,191 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 18, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 174,700 lb
- Seats: 185
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B27E/F (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B27E/F (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Southwest Airlines CO
The flight
- Destination: KBHM Birmingham AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 7 | |||
| Passengers | 100 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 6, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N8686A Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | N289CT Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.