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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 12, 2013 · Boeing 777-232 · N863DA

Atlanta, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 2013
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 278 uninjured
Location
Atlanta, GA
Aircraft
Boeing 777-232
Tail Number
N863DA
Operator
Delta Air Lines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DCA13CA128

According to the flight and cabin crew statements, Atlanta Approach Control advised the crew that radar was showing an area of rain on the arrival route although the flight crew did not see any areas of precipitation on the airborne weather radar. During the descent to 11,000 feet the seatbelt sign was illuminated and the captain, who was the pilot monitoring, cycled the seatbelt sign and called the flight attendant (FA) at the 1L door via the interphone to notify the cabin crew to be seated. Before the 1L flight attendant was able to relay the message to all of the FAs to be seated, as they were all preparing the cabin for arrival, the airplane encountered several distinct jolts of turbulence. According to the flight data recorder data, as the airplane was descending through about 13,200 feet, the vertical acceleration fluctuated between +1.56 g's and +0.024 g's over a period of about 10 seconds. During the turbulence the 4Rc FA who was in the aisle near the 3R door was lifted into the air and fell back down to the floor on her feet and knees. The FA was assisted to the 3R jumpseat, the flight crew was notified of the injury, and they requested paramedics meet the airplane upon arrival The 4Rc FA was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with two broken ankles.

NTSB Probable Cause

Unexpected encounter with convective turbulence while the flight attendants were preparing the cabin for arrival.

Full Narrative

According to the flight and cabin crew statements, Atlanta Approach Control advised the crew that radar was showing an area of rain on the arrival route although the flight crew did not see any areas of precipitation on the airborne weather radar. During the descent to 11,000 feet the seatbelt sign was illuminated and the captain, who was the pilot monitoring, cycled the seatbelt sign and called the flight attendant (FA) at the 1L door via the interphone to notify the cabin crew to be seated. Before the 1L flight attendant was able to relay the message to all of the FAs to be seated, as they were all preparing the cabin for arrival, the airplane encountered several distinct jolts of turbulence. According to the flight data recorder data, as the airplane was descending through about 13,200 feet, the vertical acceleration fluctuated between +1.56 g's and +0.024 g's over a period of about 10 seconds. During the turbulence the 4Rc FA who was in the aisle near the 3R door was lifted into the air and fell back down to the floor on her feet and knees. The FA was assisted to the 3R jumpseat, the flight crew was notified of the injury, and they requested paramedics meet the airplane upon arrival The 4Rc FA was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with two broken ankles.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:38 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 777-232
Tail NumberN863DA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorDelta Air Lines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsRolls-Royc · RB.211 SERIES · Turbojet · 22000 | Rolls-Royc · RB.211 SERIES · Turbojet · 22000
Seats400

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 278 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured278
Total279
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 52 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4800 ft
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time08:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data