McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 N780NC

Summary

On 25 July 2001 at about 16:10 local time, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 registered N780NC was involved in an accident near Detroit, Michigan, United States. 97 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 July 2001 at 16:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Wayne County (DTW)

Coordinates

42.2202, -83.3499

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51

Registration

N780NC

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Atlanta → Detroit

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI01LA245

1 person was seriously injured.

The passenger (an off duty flight attendant) disregarded the flight crews warning regarding turbulence along with the seat belt sign which had been turned on.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

An off duty flight attendant received a broken ankle when the airplane encountered moderate turbulence during descent. The captain reported the seat belt sign had been turned on and a passenger announcement was made regarding the likelyhood of encountering turbulence. The captain reported that light turbulence was encountered followed by moderate turbulence between an altitude of 18,000 feet and 12,000 feet. The injured off duty flight attendant reported, "Just before the descent began into Detroit, several passengers went to the lavatory and returned with no difficulty. I chose to give all other passengers the opportunity to go before I did. The flight was continuing smoothly as I made my way from my seat on the right side of the exit row, aft to the lavatory. While returning to my seat, the aircraft began to encounter some moderate turbulence as is normal while descending. I held to the seat backs to support myself as I walked forward toward my seat. As I neared my seat, the aircraft encountered a severe pocket of air with absolutely no warning whatsoever. I was lifted into the air as the aircraft dipped, then falling to the floor of the cabin. I could tell immediately that my ankle was broken because of its angle, and the terrible pain." A review of the flight data recorder data revealed the vertical acceleration of the airplane between 14,429 feet and 11,114 feet varied between .56 g's and 1.39 g's.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.