Pilot Debrief

BOEING 777-222 near San Francisco, CA — 2010-03-27

Final reportOPS10IA020
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Date
2010-03-27
Location
San Francisco, CA, USA
Aircraft
BOEING 777-222
Registration
N216UA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The local controller's issuance of a takeoff clearance to the Boeing 777 without ensuring that approved separation would exist with the Cessna 182. Contributing to the incident were tower procedures that permitted transitioning aircraft to cross the runway 28 departure corridor at low altitude while runways 28L/R were in use.

NTSB narrative

An operational error occurred when a Boeing 777 and a Cessna 182 transiting the Class B surface area passed within approximately 480 feet laterally and 300 feet vertically of each other. Both airplanes were under control of air traffic control at the time of the incident. Postincident investigation determined that the local controller issued a takeoff clearance to the Boeing 777 without resolving a potential conflict with the Cessna, which was southbound just west of the airport. The controller attempted to establish approved separation between the two airplanes after the Boeing departed, but was unable to do so. The pilot of the Cessna took evasive action to pass behind the Boeing. Review of tower procedures revealed deficiencies that permitted aircraft to cross the runway 28L/R departure corridor while the runways were active, facilitating conflicts of this nature.

NTSB coding

  • Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation · Initial climb
  • Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation · Enroute-cruise
View NTSB final report

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