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May 26, 1997 · Lockheed L-1011-385-3 L-1011-385 · N768DL

Atlantic Ocean, AO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 223 uninjured
Location
Atlantic Ocean, AO
Aircraft
Lockheed L-1011-385-3 L-1011-385
Tail Number
N768DL
Operator
Delta Air Lines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
ATL97LA075

While in cruise during the international flight, a flight attendant stepped on a salt shaker, breaking her left ankle and cutting her finger. She was in the first class galley at the time of the accident. The flight was at 35,000 feet, and there was no reported turbulence. First aid was administered by the second officer, followed by medical treatment at the destination.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the flight attendants to maintain control of loose cabin service equipment, a salt shaker, that resulted in an uncorrected tripping hazard.

Full Narrative

On May 26, 1997, at 0505 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), N768DL, a Lockheed L-1011-385-3, was enroute, from Atlanta to Amsterdam, Netherlands, when a flight attendant was seriously injured during the cruise phase of flight. The Delta Air Lines, scheduled, international, passenger flight, was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121, with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. One flight attendant was seriously injured, and the airline transport pilot, first officer, flight engineer, nine flight attendants, and 211 passengers sustained no injuries. The flight departed Atlanta at 2127 eastern daylight time (0127 GMT). The flight was near Benbecula, a navaid on an island off the coast of Scotland, when the accident occurred. There was no report of turbulence. The sky was clear and the air was smooth. There were no mechanical problems reported with the aircraft. The A-Line flight attendant advised the Captain that one of the flight attendants had stepped on a salt shaker, in the First Class Galley, breaking her left ankle and cutting one of her fingers. The second officer administered First Aid. Paramedics met the flight at the destination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLockheed L-1011-385-3 L-1011-385
Tail NumberN768DL
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorDelta Air Lines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · RB.211 · Turbofan · 41000
Seats231

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 223 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured223
Total224
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNr
Wind2° @ 13 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data