McDonnell Douglas MD88 N941DL

Summary

On 28 March 2009 at about 17:00 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD88 registered N941DL, operated by Delta Air Lines Inc, was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 137 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 March 2009 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Hartsfield Jackson Int. Arpt (ATL)

Coordinates

33.6406, -84.4269

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas MD88

Registration

N941DL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Delta Air Lines Inc

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

El Paso → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA224

1 person was seriously injured.

The flight attendant’s failure to properly restrain herself after taking her jumpseat.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on initial approach, the flight crew announced over the public address system for passengers and flight attendants to take their seats. According to one of the flight attendants, it took about 1 minute to get everything put away in the galley, then he and another attendant went to the aft jumpseat to be seated. Neither fastened their restraints. Shortly thereafter, there was a "jolt of turbulence" that lasted between 2 to 3 seconds. Both flight attendants came off the aft jumpseat and it retracted into the stowed position, and one fell onto her side and incurred injuries to her elbow, shoulder, and head. As a result of the event, the operator clarified its turbulence training and guidance to emphasize that flight attendants "must be seated with seat belts and shoulder harness secured during moderate/severe turbulence or when directed by the captain."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.