# NTSB ATL84LA235: Douglas DC-9-31, N8978E, Augusta, GA, July 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1984, 18:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.489761, -82.159248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4898&lon=-82.1592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 99 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA235

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - passenger briefing - not followed, passenger (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, passenger (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight attendant

## Analysis

DURING A TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER A PAX STANDING IN THE REAR OF THE CABIN FELL AND SUFFERED A FRACTURED LEG. THE SEAT BELT SIGN WAS ILLUMINATED FOR THE ENTIRE FLT. AT THE DIRECTION OF THE CAPT, IN-FLT SERVICE BY THE FLT ATTENDANTS WAS TERMINATED. THE INJURED PAX ASKED A FLT ATTD IF HE COULD SMOKE. HE WAS DIRECTED TO GO AFT TO A SEAT IN THE SMOKING SECTION. THE PAX WENT AFT BUT COULD NOT FIND A SUITABLE SEAT AND ELECTED TO STAND IN THE AISLE. BOTH FLT ATTDS WERE BUSY SECURING THE GALLEY AND WERE NOT AWARE OF THE STANDING PAX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8978E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8978E-2010-07-20), registration cancelled 2010-07-20, S/N 47327, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-9-31
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 3022065) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47327
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7B turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Eastern Air Lines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: CAE, COLUMBIA, SC
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; 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: 11,480 total, 4,153 in this make and model, 187 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS

## 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 19840725069749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840725069749A), Jul 25, 1984: Doug DC931, Augusta, GA. Passenger standing in aisle injured by severe turbulence. Seat belt sign on. Attendants unaware of passenger.

## Other investigations on N8978E (2)

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.

- [NTSB ATL90IA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90IA060), Jan 31, 1990: Douglas DC-9-31 (N8978E), Louisville, KY, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: THE DISABLING OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TORQUE LINK WHICH ALLOWED THE TRUCK TO ROTATE FREELY. THE TORQUE LINK WAS DISABLED WHEN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WAS GENERATED BY EXCESSIVE PLAY OF THE TORQUE LINK…
- [NTSB IAD74AI035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74AI035), Dec 17, 1973: Douglas DC-9 (N8978E), Greensboro, NC, substantial damage

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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