# NTSB ATL83FA328: Boeing 707-323C, N8415, Baltimore, MD, April 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1983, 21:45 local (Apr 3, 1983, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, MD
- Coordinates: 39.16917, -76.669319 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1692&lon=-76.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 190 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA328
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA328

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - safety advisory - not issued, pilot in command (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, flight attendant (contributing factor)
  - pressure, flight attendant (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE ABOUT 20-25 MIN PRIOR TO LANDING. THE FLT ATTENDANTS WERE RETRIEVING CUPS & TRASH AT THE CONCLUSION OF A HOT MEAL SERVICE. AN ATTENDANT WAS THROWN UPWARD STRIKING THE CEILING, THEN FELL TO THE FLOOR CAUSING A LOWER BACK INJURY. THE FLT WAS IN THE VICINITY OF SEVERAL THUNDERSTORMS WHEN THE TURBULENCE, CHARACTERIZED AS 'HEAVY' OR'SEVERE' WAS ENCOUNTERED. A PA ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE EARLY IN THE FLT THAT TURBULENCE WAS EXPECTED & THAT THE SEAT BELT SIGN WOULD BE LEFT ON DURING THE FLT. THE ATTENDANTS WERE INSTRUCTED BY THE CAPTAIN TO PROVIDE THE SCHEDULED MEAL SERVICE. THE SENIOR ATTENDANT STATED SHE WAS TOLD BY THE CAPTAIN EARLIER IN THE FLT THAT SHE COULD HAVE THE OTHER ATTENDANTS TAKE THEIR SEATS (BECAUSE OF TURBULENCE) AT HER DISCRETION & THE CAPTAIN WOULD MAKE A PA ANNOUNCEMENT IF THE WX WORSENED. SHE ALSO STATED SHE THOUGHT SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED IF SHE CHOSE NOT TO PROVIDE THE MEAL SERVICE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE FLT ATTENDANTS STATED THEY WERE NOT GIVEN ANY WARNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8415 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 707-323C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 200087
- Airframe hours: 36986
- Engines: P&W JT3D 17000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Global Int'L Airways
- Registered owner: Aviation Leasing Group
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MCO, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: BWI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19830402075929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830402075929A), Apr 2, 1983: Boeing 707323C, Baltimore, MD. Aircraft encountered turbulence and cabin attendant was injured. Pilot had not advised cabin crew of turbulence.

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.

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