N302FE

On June 9, 1997, at 2318 central daylight time (cdt), a Douglas DC-10-30F, Federal Express Flight 80, N302FE, and a Boeing 747- 200F, Japan Airlines Flight 6012, N211JL, were involved in a near collision while the two airplanes were taxiing into and out of the cargo non-movement ramp area at O'Hare International Airport. The Federal Express DC-10 was taxiing into the ramp area while the Japan Airline B-747 was taxiing out of the ramp area. The Federal Express DC-10 had to back up approximately 15 to 20 feet in order not to be struck by the left wing of the Japan Airline's left wing tip. There were no injuries to the 4 crew members on Flight 80. There were no injuries to the 3 crew members on Flight 6012. Both flights were conducting scheduled cargo service, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121. IFR flight plans were filed for both flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in Chicago, Illinois.

The Federal Express (FEDEX) DC-10 had landed on runway 14L, taxied off onto taxiway Alpha and was instructed by the local controller (tower) to hold short of runway 9R via taxiway Mike, then left onto Kilo, and to remain on the local controller's frequency. The FEDEX DC-10 then received clearance to taxi to the southwest cargo ramp. The FEDEX DC-10 taxied to Kilo 1 taxiway and held short of Kilo 2 taxiway to give way for the outbound Japan Airline (JAL) B-747 taxiing out to Kilo 2 taxiway. The JAL B-747 was monitoring outbound ground control frequency. Both airplanes were on non-movement ramp area. As the JAL B-747 approached the FEDEX DC-10 airplane on Kilo 1 taxiway, the JAL B-747 moved to the right of the ramp center line to avoid hitting the nose of the FEDEX DC-10. The FEDEX DC-10 called on the local frequency that "hey JAL you're not gonna make it you're not gonna make it hold stop." The FEDEX DC-10 Captain applied reverse thrust and moved approximately 15 to 20 feet back on taxiway Kilo 1 to avoid getting hit. The JAL B-747 never heard the FEDEX DC-10's call because they were on the outbound ground frequency.