B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 18000
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Airport; Weather; Procedure; Human Factors
Last leg of last day of four day trip. Departed Gate [5] clearance to spot X. Another 737 was on the ramp taxi line stopped; between spot Y and spot X waiting to park at Gate [2]. A heavy being pushed tail north from [Gate 1] (maybe) didn't push deep enough to allow the 737 waiting on Gate [2] to proceed to gate. FO asked the 737 if he could pull forward; he replied that he couldn't. I determined that I could proceed to spot X by taxiing around the parked 737. Just as we reached spot X we felt a shudder. I parked the brakes and looked out my #3 window and noticed FOD on the ramp and realized we had struck the parked 737. We shut down the engines and coordinated with ramp and company to return to the gate.The ramp had just reopened after a thunderstorm; so there were planes everywhere. My exit taxi line was partially blocked; so I taxied right of centerline to my exit spot. Because of the ramp closure we were late and some of our passengers had connections; but I'm comfortable operating at confined airports such as LGA and DCA where close maneuvering is required on a daily basis.I wasn't tired; distracted or in a hurry to get home. I thought I had clearance based on experience. I was wrong. In the future; I'll plant myself on the ramp taxi line and wait.
Crew conducted normal man up and push from Gate [5]. Ramp advised 'Taxi Spot XX; contact ground.' Enroute to Spot X; we stopped short due to ramp congestion. An aircraft was parked between Spot Y and X waiting entry to Gate [2]. In order for us to proceed; CA had me contact the other crew (ramp frequency) to see if they could pull forward enough to allow us to continue to Spot X. The other crew indicated they could not move up until the 767 in front of them proceeded.CA indicated he had room to maneuver our aircraft around the other B737 and began to taxi. I asked if he was sure and that I would watch the right side so we did not cross the taxiway edge line. He stated he did and as we approached Spot X; CA and I felt the aircraft shudder. I asked if the aircraft had run over anything on the ground. CA indicated no; but shortly thereafter reported FOD on the tarmac. Unsure of the aircraft's condition; the CA set the parking brake and directed me to secure the engines. We contacted Ramp requesting a Gate to return to. Over the next 15-20 minutes; we were advised maintenance would tow the other B737 to Gate [2] and our aircraft to Gate [3].[Caused by] pressing to meet schedule. Safety first mentality must permeate the aviation culture. Nothing is more important. Not schedule; fuel; or revenue. We must stress to our flight departments that a repeat customer is won by their acknowledgement of our safe execution of our service. Standard operations exist and must be followed.
Flight crew from two aircraft and one passenger reported wingtip contact with another B737 which damaged both aircraft. They were both towed to the gate.