# NTSB ATL86LA202: Douglas DC-9-31, N9332, Montgomery, AL, July 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1986, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, AL
- Coordinates: 32.400543, -86.329414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4005&lon=-86.3294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 39 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA202

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - seat belt sign - selected, pilot in command
  - seat belt - not used, flight attendant

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE (TURBC) WHILE FLYING IN THE VICINITY OF A THUNDERSTORM (TSTM). DURING THE OCCURRENCE, A FLT ATTENDANT, WHO WAS SERVING BEVERAGES, SUSTAINED A FRACTURED LUMBAR VERTEBRAE. RADAR DATA REVEALED THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 4 MI WEST (DOWNWIND) FROM HVY WX. JUST BEFORE THE ENCOUNTER, THE FLT CREW RPRTD THEY WERE FLYING UNDER 'SOME PRETTY GOOD OVERHANGS.'  FAA CIRCULAR AC 00-6A, TITLED 'AVIATION WEATHER,' STATES 'DO AVOID BY AT LEAST 20 MILES ANY THUNDERSTORM IDENTIFIED AS SEVERE OR GIVING AN INTENSE RADAR ECHO. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE UNDER THE ANVIL OF A LARGE CUMULONIMBUS.'  RPRTDLY, THE SEAT BELT SIGN WAS ON WHEN THE TURBC ENCOUNTER OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9332](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9332-2013-11-19), registration cancelled 2013-11-19, S/N 47264, 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: 47264
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Republic Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Destination: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 80 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).

- [Accident 19860721039229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860721039229A), Jul 21, 1986: Doug DC931, Montgomery, AL, Minor damage. Flight attendant was injured when the aircraft encountered turbulence. The pilot failed to avoid thunderstorms.

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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