Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during a period of rapidly deteriorating visibility at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Flight 1482 was cleared to taxi to Runway 03C but missed a critical turn onto Taxiway Oscar 6, entering the outer taxiway instead. The crew, led by a captain returning from a six-year medical leave, struggled with the airport's complex layout in the fog. Despite expressing uncertainty about their position, the crew continued to taxi and eventually turned onto Runway 03C, believing it was Taxiway X-ray. Simultaneously, Flight 299 was cleared for takeoff on the same runway. Although an off-duty controller had noted visibility was as low as 1/8 mile, the active tower controller continued to report 1/4 mile, allowing operations to proceed. As the 727 accelerated, the crew of the DC-9 realized they were on an active runway and attempted to contact ATC, but it was too late. The 727 struck the DC-9 at high speed. The evacuation of the DC-9 was hampered by a mechanical failure of the tailcone emergency release, leading to two deaths from smoke inhalation in the rear of the cabin.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause was a lack of proper crew coordination and a reversal of roles between the DC-9 pilots, which led to their failure to stop taxiing despite being lost. Contributing factors included ATC deficiencies, such as the failure to provide progressive taxi instructions and inaccurate visibility observations. The airport's inadequate signage and lighting, combined with Northwest Airlines' lack of Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) training, were also cited. The fatalities were specifically linked to the inoperable internal tailcone release mechanism on the DC-9.
Video Analysis
Two Planes Collide on a Foggy Detroit Runway | Air Crash Investigation — A detailed look at the 1990 Detroit runway collision between Northwest Flights 1482 and 299, exploring the pilot disorientation and ATC errors that led to the disaster.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Northwest Airlines NW1482 — McDonnell Douglas DC-9-14 · N3313L
Northwest Airlines NW299 — Boeing 727-251 · N278US
Crew Experience
Captain
Returned from 6-year medical leave three days prior.
First Officer
Captain
First Officer
Flight Engineer
Systems & Failure Modes
Tailcone Release Mechanism
An emergency exit system at the rear of the DC-9 designed to jettison the tailcone; it failed to operate internally during the evacuation.
Ground Control Radar
The airport lacked functional ground radar that could have alerted controllers to the DC-9's incorrect position in low visibility.
Interesting Facts
- 01The DC-9 captain had recently returned to flight duty after a six-year medical leave for kidney stones.
- 02Visibility at the time of the accident was estimated by an off-duty controller to be 1/8 mile, below the legal minimum for takeoff.
- 03The DC-9 tailcone emergency exit failed to open, contributing to two fatalities from smoke inhalation.
- 04The Boeing 727 sustained repairable damage to its wing and was later returned to service.
- 05Northwest Airlines did not have a formal Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) program at the time of the accident.
Safety Actions & Advisories
CRM Training Mandates
The NTSB recommended that Northwest Airlines and other carriers implement comprehensive Cockpit Resource Management training to improve crew communication.
Airport Signage and Lighting Improvements
Recommendations were made to improve the clarity of taxiway markings and signage, especially at complex intersections, to prevent pilot disorientation.