McDonnell Douglas MD 83 N805WA

Summary

On 23 August 2025 at about 17:40 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD 83 registered N805WA, operated by World Atlantic Airlines, was involved in an accident near Miami, Florida, United States. 21 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

23 August 2025 at 17:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Miami, Florida, United States

Coordinates

25.7990, -80.2826

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas MD 83

Registration

N805WA

Category

Airplane

Year built

1996

Engines

2

Operator

World Atlantic Airlines

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Santa Clara → Miami

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DCA25LA312

1 person was seriously injured.

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

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

World Atlantic Airlines flight 261, from Abel Santamaría Airport (SNU), Santa Clara, Cuba, encountered turbulence during descent into Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Florida. As a result, one flight attendant (FA) sustained a serious injury. According to the captain, they were descending through 12,000 ft when they observed an isolated cloud formation and requested a deviation from air traffic control (ATC). While maneuvering between clouds, the airplane encountered about two seconds of severe turbulence. At the time of the encounter, the fasten seat belt sign was illuminated. After the turbulence encounter, the flight crew contacted the senior FA and were initially informed that there were no injuries and the cabin was normal. Shortly after, the senior FA called the flight crew to advise that one of the FAs had fallen during the turbulence and was experiencing dizziness. The flight continued to MIA and landed without incident. While taxiing to the gate, the senior FA contacted the flight crew and reported that the injured FA was experiencing pain on her right side. The flight crew requested paramedics to meet the flight at the gate. The injured FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a concussion and rib contusion. The FA was hospitalized for four days before being released. According to the injured FA, she was seated near the galley when the fasten seat belt sign was illuminated. She was attempting to fasten her seat belt when the airplane encountered turbulence. She stated that she felt a heavy impact and lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, her colleagues were there and she felt pain on her right side. After the accident, World Atlantic Airlines issued a safety bulletin to all inflight personnel that emphasized the importance of adherence to procedures when encountering severe turbulence, including briefings on expected turbulence during arrival and descent.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.