# NTSB ATL82DA142: Douglas DC-9-15F, N9356, Memphis, TN, May 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1982, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Location: 35.1495° N, 90.0490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Memphis, TN, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1495&lon=-90.0490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 56 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA142

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - seat belt sign - selected, pilot in command
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, flight attendant (cause)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE AIRCREW RECEIVED WEATHER DATA THAT INCLUDED A FORECAST FOR A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO LEAVE THE SEAT BELT SIGN ON FOR THE ENTIRE FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT WAS ROUTINE UNTIL A DESCENT WAS STARTED INTO THE DESTINATION. THE CAPTAIN STATED THAT HE WAS NOT RECEIVING ANY RADAR RETURNS, BUT BASED ON HIS OBSERVATION, HE THOUGHT THAT THE WEATHER MIGHT BECOME BUMPY. HE ANNOUNCED ON THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM THAT DURING THE DESCENT, CHOPPY AIR MAY BE ENCOUNTERED. HE DIRECTED THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO DISCONTINUE CABIN SERVICE, SECURE THE CABIN, AND RETURN TO THEIR STATIONS. ALSO, HE REQUESTED ALL PASSENGERS TO REMAIN SEATED WITH THEIR SEAT BELTS SECURELY FASTENED. THE "A" FLIGHT ATTENDANT SECURED THE GALLEY AND TOOK HER SEAT. HOWEVER, THE "B" FLIGHT ATTENDANT WAS GOING TO HER SEAT WHEN TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED. AT THAT TIME, SHE LOST HER BALANCE, HIT THE CEILING, AND THEN LANDED ON THE FLOOR WITH AN INJURED NECK AND RIGHT FOOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9356 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-9-15F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47086
- Airframe hours: 38442
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7B 14000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Republic Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Republic Airlines, Inc.
- Departed: HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: MEMPHIS, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MEM, Memphis International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 19,561 total, 10,170 in this make and model, 225 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 156 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19820522027899I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820522027899I), May 22, 1982: Doug DC915, Memphis, TN. Flight attendant suffered a neck injury due to turbulence before she was able to reach her seat.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.