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October 5, 2009 · Boeing 767-3P6 · N156DL

Unknown, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 5, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 231 uninjured
Location
Unknown, AR
Aircraft
Boeing 767-3P6
Tail Number
N156DL
Operator
Delta Air Lines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
ERA10CA022

During the cruise portion of a scheduled international passenger flight, a flight attendant incurred serious injury while trying to stow a beverage cart during an encounter with turbulence. The flight attendant stated, "…the cart as it often does, went to the side and not forward as I was trying to put it in its secured position. Unknown to me, when the cart went on [its] own route to the side and not forward it must have caused a whip lash." The flight attendant continued with her duties for the remainder of the flight, and sought medical attention after the flight landed at its scheduled destination. The flight attendant's injuries consisted of two fractured ribs. According to statements provided by the cockpit crew, they were unaware that anyone had been injured until several days after the conclusion of the flight. None recalled encountering any significant turbulence during the flight. Seven other flight attendants also provided written statements. Five of the flight attendants did not recall anything abnormal about the flight, one recalled encountering a "patch of rough air," and one recalled encountering an unexpected area of "severe turbulence." Due to the Safety Board's late notification of the event, flight data recorder information pertaining to the accident flight was not available. The exact time and location that the event took place could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

An inadvertent encounter with turbulence, which resulted in an injury to a flight cabin attendant.

Full Narrative

During the cruise portion of a scheduled international passenger flight, a flight attendant incurred serious injury while trying to stow a beverage cart during an encounter with turbulence. The flight attendant stated, "…the cart as it often does, went to the side and not forward as I was trying to put it in its secured position. Unknown to me, when the cart went on [its] own route to the side and not forward it must have caused a whip lash." The flight attendant continued with her duties for the remainder of the flight, and sought medical attention after the flight landed at its scheduled destination. The flight attendant's injuries consisted of two fractured ribs. According to statements provided by the cockpit crew, they were unaware that anyone had been injured until several days after the conclusion of the flight. None recalled encountering any significant turbulence during the flight. Seven other flight attendants also provided written statements. Five of the flight attendants did not recall anything abnormal about the flight, one recalled encountering a "patch of rough air," and one recalled encountering an unexpected area of "severe turbulence." Due to the Safety Board's late notification of the event, flight data recorder information pertaining to the accident flight was not available. The exact time and location that the event took place could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:44 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 767-3P6
Tail NumberN156DL
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorDelta Air Lines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGeneral Electric · CF6-80C2 · Turbofan · 45720 | General Electric · CF6-80C2 · Turbofan · 45720
Seats290

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 231 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured231
Total232
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 49 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data