# NTSB ATL85LA014: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-8-71, N825E, Hamilton, AL, October 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1984, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, AL
- Coordinates: 34.139076, -87.980857 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1391&lon=-87.9809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 93 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6689/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

N825E, OPERATED AS DELTA AIR LINES FLT 977 HEAVY, ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING DESCENT. ONE FLT ATTENDANT SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES, TWO FLT ATTENDANTS & TWO PASSENGERS HAD MINOR INJURIES. EVEN THOUGH THE SEAT BELT SIGN WAS ILLUMINATED THE FLT ATTENDANTS WERE NOT SEATED. THE CAPT STATED THAT AFTER ENCOUNTERING THE TURBULENCE THE ACFT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS & HE COULD SEE THE CUMULUS CLOUD BEHIND, BUT IT HAD NOT SHOWN UP ON RADAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N825E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-8-71
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 45944
- Airframe hours: 50347
- Engines: CFM CFM 56 2C1 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Delta Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 21,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 40 nm away

## 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 19841019076059I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841019076059I), Oct 19, 1984: Doug DC871, Hamilton, AL. Unexpected turbulence during descent at FL334. Injuries to some passengers and flight attendants.

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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