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September 4, 2017 · Mcdonnell Douglas MD 90-30 30 · N938DN

El Paso, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 142 uninjured
Location
El Paso, TX
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas MD 90-30 30 (1995)
Tail Number
N938DN
Operator
Delta Air Lines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DCA17CA194

On September 4, 2017 at about1531 central daylight time, Delta Air Lines flight 2121, a Boeing MD-90, N938DN, encountered turbulence during final approach into El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas. Of the 143 passengers and crew onboard, one flight attendant sustained serious injuries. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia, to ELP. According to the operator, while on approach the flight crew completed the cabin notification and turned the seatbelt sign on. While one of the flight attendants was performing final safety checks and walking to her jumpseat, the airplane encountered turbulence, resulting in the flight attendant hitting her head on the overhead bin. The flight attendant continued to her seat for the remainder of the approach and landing. The flight crew was notified of the event during taxi and they requested paramedics meet the flight at the gate. The flight attendant was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with head injuries and admitted for observation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-(general)-Effect on personnel - C

Full Narrative

On September 4, 2017 at about1531 central daylight time, Delta Air Lines flight 2121, a Boeing MD-90, N938DN, encountered turbulence during final approach into El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas. Of the 143 passengers and crew onboard, one flight attendant sustained serious injuries. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia, to ELP. According to the operator, while on approach the flight crew completed the cabin notification and turned the seatbelt sign on. While one of the flight attendants was performing final safety checks and walking to her jumpseat, the airplane encountered turbulence, resulting in the flight attendant hitting her head on the overhead bin. The flight attendant continued to her seat for the remainder of the approach and landing. The flight crew was notified of the event during taxi and they requested paramedics meet the flight at the gate. The flight attendant was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with head injuries and admitted for observation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:31 MDT
Nearest AirportEl Paso Intl (0nm SSW)
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas MD 90-30 30
Tail NumberN938DN
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorDelta Air Lines
Operating RulePart 121

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 142 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured142
Total143

Conditions

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

Appendix: Source Data