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March 10, 2017 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC 9 83(MD-83) 83 · N9615W

Dallas-Fort Worth (Dfw), TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 10, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 106 uninjured
Location
Dallas-Fort Worth (Dfw), TX
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC 9 83(MD-83) 83 (1997)
Tail Number
N9615W
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DCA17CA079

On March 9, 2017 at 1915 central standard time, American Airlines flight 2588, a Boeing MD-83, N9615W, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), encountered turbulence at flight level 280 (FL280) during cruise flight from Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Dallas, Texas, resulting in a serious injury to one of the flight attendants (FA). None of the other passengers and crew members were injured and the airplane received minor damage. According to the operator, while enroute to DFW at FL 280, in intermittent IMC conditions at 0.74 Mach, the flight crew was deviating left of assigned course to avoid weather and was northeast of Memphis . The seat belt sign was on and the on-board radar was not depicting any precipitation. The aircraft experienced unexpected turbulence. The #2 and the #4 FAs were seated in their jumpseats in the rear of the aircraft, however, their seatbelts were not fastened. Both the #2 and the #4 FAs struck the overhead ceiling panel and fell to the floor. No passengers reported injuries and the FAs were able to complete their duties. Emergency Medical Service personnel met the FAs at the gate and transported to the hospital. Both FAs were treated and released from the hospital that evening, however, the #2 FA was later diagnosed with fractures to her vertebrae.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-Convective turbulence-Effect on personnel - C

Full Narrative

On March 9, 2017 at 1915 central standard time, American Airlines flight 2588, a Boeing MD-83, N9615W, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), encountered turbulence at flight level 280 (FL280) during cruise flight from Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Dallas, Texas, resulting in a serious injury to one of the flight attendants (FA). None of the other passengers and crew members were injured and the airplane received minor damage. According to the operator, while enroute to DFW at FL 280, in intermittent IMC conditions at 0.74 Mach, the flight crew was deviating left of assigned course to avoid weather and was northeast of Memphis . The seat belt sign was on and the on-board radar was not depicting any precipitation. The aircraft experienced unexpected turbulence. The #2 and the #4 FAs were seated in their jumpseats in the rear of the aircraft, however, their seatbelts were not fastened. Both the #2 and the #4 FAs struck the overhead ceiling panel and fell to the floor. No passengers reported injuries and the FAs were able to complete their duties. Emergency Medical Service personnel met the FAs at the gate and transported to the hospital. Both FAs were treated and released from the hospital that evening, however, the #2 FA was later diagnosed with fractures to her vertebrae.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC 9 83(MD-83) 83
Tail NumberN9615W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · JT8D-219 · Turbofan · 21000 | Pratt & Whitney · JT8D-219 · Turbofan · 21000
Seats146

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 106 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured106
Total107
Crew 1Age 61 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 33 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightNight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data