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March 28, 2024 · Boeing 757-232 · N6705Y

Lakeland, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 2024
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 174 uninjured
Location
Lakeland, GA
Aircraft
Boeing 757-232 (2000)
Tail Number
N6705Y
Operator
Delta Air Lines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DCA24LA135

Delta Air Lines flight 1253 was cleared direct to KRVUR to join the DADES1 arrival at FL 330. While flying direct to KRVUR, the flight crew said that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control (ATC) gave the flight permission to descend to FL 310. As the airplane was descending, it approached some clouds that were visible in the moon light, and the captain activated the seat belt sign, and made a brief announcement as a precaution. The flight crew said that they then requested that ATC allow them to deviate to the left to avoid the highest cloud peaks that they could see, however at no time did the weather radar indicate any significant moisture returns. The flight crew said they were unable to avoid entering the clouds and the flight briefly encountered “moderate” turbulence. As the flight exited those cloud tops, they then saw more clouds ahead, along with some indirect lightning nearby. The captain made an announcement to the cabin for the flight attendants (FAs) to take their jump seats, and about a minute later they entered the next set of cloud tops and experienced brief, but severe turbulence. The first officer (FO) said that the turbulence encounter lasted about 10 to 15 seconds with the altitude deviating a little, and the airplane rolling about 10 to 15 degrees. He also added that the auto throttle system, increased the thrust setting, which required that they reduce it manually. After the turbulence event, the flight crew stated that they received a call from the cabin crew notifying them that a FA was injured. The injured FA stated that after completing cabin service they stowed the beverage carts in the back galley and within one minute of stowing the carts, they encountered “very severe” and unexpected turbulence. He said that the seatbelt sign was off, and he could not sit in the jump seats closest to him because they were all occupied by other flight attendants. He added that the flight was full and there were no passenger seats available as well, and the only available jump seats were far away. He said that as he reached to grab a handle near the carts he was suddenly thrown by the turbulence. He hit his head on the ceiling and came down on his right foot, resulting in a broken fibula. After the turbulence ended the flight crew gathered more information from the cabin and made a pilot report (PIREP) to ATC indicating that there was an injured FA aboard and requested that emergency medical services personnel meet the airplane at the gate. The first officer added that from his perspective, there was no indication of possible turbulence in the vicinity, and if it wasn't for the moon light making the clouds visible, the seat belt sign would most likely have not been activated, because the radar showed no reflection of moisture in the clouds.

NTSB Probable Cause

An inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence that resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.

Full Narrative

Delta Air Lines flight 1253 was cleared direct to KRVUR to join the DADES1 arrival at FL 330. While flying direct to KRVUR, the flight crew said that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control (ATC) gave the flight permission to descend to FL 310. As the airplane was descending, it approached some clouds that were visible in the moon light, and the captain activated the seat belt sign, and made a brief announcement as a precaution. The flight crew said that they then requested that ATC allow them to deviate to the left to avoid the highest cloud peaks that they could see, however at no time did the weather radar indicate any significant moisture returns. The flight crew said they were unable to avoid entering the clouds and the flight briefly encountered “moderate” turbulence. As the flight exited those cloud tops, they then saw more clouds ahead, along with some indirect lightning nearby. The captain made an announcement to the cabin for the flight attendants (FAs) to take their jump seats, and about a minute later they entered the next set of cloud tops and experienced brief, but severe turbulence. The first officer (FO) said that the turbulence encounter lasted about 10 to 15 seconds with the altitude deviating a little, and the airplane rolling about 10 to 15 degrees. He also added that the auto throttle system, increased the thrust setting, which required that they reduce it manually. After the turbulence event, the flight crew stated that they received a call from the cabin crew notifying them that a FA was injured. The injured FA stated that after completing cabin service they stowed the beverage carts in the back galley and within one minute of stowing the carts, they encountered “very severe” and unexpected turbulence. He said that the seatbelt sign was off, and he could not sit in the jump seats closest to him because they were all occupied by other flight attendants. He added that the flight was full and there were no passenger seats available as well, and the only available jump seats were far away. He said that as he reached to grab a handle near the carts he was suddenly thrown by the turbulence. He hit his head on the ceiling and came down on his right foot, resulting in a broken fibula. After the turbulence ended the flight crew gathered more information from the cabin and made a pilot report (PIREP) to ATC indicating that there was an injured FA aboard and requested that emergency medical services personnel meet the airplane at the gate. The first officer added that from his perspective, there was no indication of possible turbulence in the vicinity, and if it wasn't for the moon light making the clouds visible, the seat belt sign would most likely have not been activated, because the radar showed no reflection of moisture in the clouds.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:34 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 757-232
Tail NumberN6705Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorDelta Air Lines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP & W · PW2037 · Turbofan · 37530 | P & W · PW2037 · Turbofan · 37530
Seats178

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 174 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured174
Total175
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 62 · First Class · None

Conditions

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

Appendix: Source Data