Airbus A330 and Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE accident near Newark, New Jersey, December 31, 2021
On December 31, 2021 at about 3:45 am local time, 2 aircraft, Airbus A330 (TCJOK) and Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE (N633RW), were involved in the same accident near Newark, New Jersey (Newark Liberty Intl airport). No one was hurt; 59 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Turkish Airlines flightcrew’ s misperception of the distance to safely pass the stopped Republic Airways airplane.
Turkish Airlines flightcrew’ s misperception of the distance to safely pass the stopped Republic Airways airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 31, 2021 · about 3:45 am local time
- Place
- Newark, New Jersey · Newark Liberty Intl · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 59 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft 1
- Airbus A330 · all A330s on the register
- Registration
- TCJOK · no longer on the register · serial 1642
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Flight · foreign airline rules (Part 129)
- Aircraft 2
- Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE, built 2004 · all ERJ 170-100 SEs on the register
- Registration
- N633RW · no longer on the register · serial 17000054
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative for the Airbus A330 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight crew of a Republic Airways Embraer 170, operating as United Express flight 3417, said they had stopped their airplane and set the parking brake while waiting for gate personnel to finish preparing gate 88 at Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) to receive their flight, when their airplane was struck by a Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 that was taxiing past. The Embraer airplane received substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The captain of Turkish Airlines flight TK0029, said that after landing they were cleared to taxi to gate 63, and while taxiing on Taxiway A, there was an airplane stopped on the right-side apron. The captain said that no information had been relayed that an airplane had stopped short of the parking area, and he slowed his taxi speed, but did not realize that the stopped airplane had not fully pulled into and parked at the gate. He perceived that there was sufficient clearance, so he decided to pass. After reaching gate 63 and parking he said that he was informed of the collision. An inspection of the A330 airplane revealed paint transfer on 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 Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight crew of a Republic Airways Embraer 170, operating as United Express flight 3417, said they had stopped their airplane and set the parking brake while waiting for gate personnel to finish preparing gate 88 at Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) to receive their flight, when their airplane was struck by a Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 that was taxiing past. The Embraer airplane received substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The captain of Turkish Airlines flight TK0029, said that after landing they were cleared to taxi to gate 63, and while taxiing on Taxiway A, there was an airplane stopped on the right-side apron. The captain said that no information had been relayed that an airplane had stopped short of the parking area, and he slowed his taxi speed, but did not realize that the stopped airplane had not fully pulled into and parked at the gate. He perceived that there was sufficient clearance, so he decided to pass. After reaching gate 63 and parking he said that he was informed of the collision. An inspection of the A330 airplane revealed paint transfer on 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 Airbus A330 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Perception › Flight crew
The aircraft
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Turkish Airlines
The flight
- Departed from: LTFM Istanbul OF at 7:20 pm
- Destination: EWR Newark NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 800 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
The factual record for the Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during standing (engine(s) operating)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incomplete action › Flight crew
The aircraft
- Seats: 70
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Ge CF34 SERIES (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Ge CF34 SERIES (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Republic Airways INC
The flight
- Departed from: SAV Savannah GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 4 | |||
| Passengers | 55 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 16, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Republic Airlines Airplane | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Turkish Airlines | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Employee Statements - Turkish Airlines Captain | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - Turkish Airlines Report | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Employee Statements Republic Airlines Captain | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Employee Statements - Republic Airlines Fo | PDF, 1 page | 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.