A United Airlines aircraft taxiing to the gate at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) clipped the tail of an All Nippon Airways (ANA) Cargo Boeing 777Fon Thursday. According to aviation insider JonNYC, it is believed to be a ‘light scrape’ with very minor damage. ANA confirmed the incident and is still working to verify information and the damage.
The ANA Cargo aircraft was parked, awaiting clearance to enter one of O’Hare’s busy runways, when the United 737-900ER arriving from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) was taxiing behind. When the planes crossed paths, the 737 reportedly clipped the tail of the cargo airplane, sustaining damage.
The two flights involved NH8421, a nonstop flight from Chicago to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), and UA1834, which had just arrived from Boston.
Air traffic control transcripts from LiveATC detailed what might have happened, with the controller requesting that the ANA flight taxi off the runway, as it was believed to have sustained damage from the United plane. It is recorded that they believed the winglet of the 737 struck the tail of the plane. This has resulted in the 777F being removed from service and left on the ground in Chicago while the damage is inspected.
ATC: “All Nippon 8421 Heavy, just hold position please.”
Pilot: “Okay.”
ATC: “All Nippon 8421 Heavy, I have to taxi you off of the runway. So, uhh, another aircraft might have clipped your tail. So I need you to taxi forward down the runway and then turn left at taxiway Mike, and I will have more for you there. Taxi forward, turn left on Mike, and I will have more for you.”
Pilot: “Did we get any damage to the aircraft?”
ATC: “I’m not sure, we’re gonna find that out, but there’s a possible uhh, aircraft winglet that might have struck your tail. We’re not sure just yet, we’re gonna find out what’s up.”
Pilot: “Okay.”
ANA stated:
“All Nippon Airways (ANA) is aware of an incident involving flight NH8421 and a United aircraft at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD),” it explained. “We are working with relevant authorities to verify information.”
A United spokesperson also confirmed the incident.
“While taxiing to the gate, a United 737 lightly scraped the tail of another aircraft,” they said. “Customers deplaned normally at the gate.”
Both aircraft remain grounded at O’Hare while damage is inspected and repairs are undertaken. Fortunately for the United flight, this had just arrived, so passengers were able to deplane normally and safely, and there have been no reports of injury. The Chicago-based legacy airline confirmed there were 154 passengers and 7 crew members.