# NTSB ATL88LA034: Boeing 737-232, N315DL, Raleigh, NC, November 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1987, 19:45 local (Nov 11, 1987, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, NC
- Location: 35.7721° N, 78.6386° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Raleigh, NC, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7721&lon=-78.6386&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 65 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA034

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE DURING THE NIGHTTIME FLT, WHEN IT PASSED THROUGH CLOUDS MOMENTARILY AT FL225. A FLT ATTENDANT SUSTAINED A BROKEN ANKLE. THE CAPTAIN RPTD THAT RADAR GAVE NO INDICATION OF ANY WX AHEAD PRIOR TO THE ENCOUNTER. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS TURNED ON ABOUT 15 SECONDS PRIOR TO ENTERING THE CLOUDS, WHEN THE FLT CREW FIRST OBSERVED THE CLOUDS.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N315DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315DL-2007-11-09), registration cancelled 2007-11-09, S/N 23087, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-232
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-232) (registry code 1384475) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23087
- Engines: P&W JT8D 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines, Inc., doing business as Delta Airlines
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: RDU, RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 90 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 19871110067369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871110067369A), Nov 10, 1987: Boeing 737232, Raleigh-Durham, NC. Encounted severe turbulence in the clouds at FL225. One f light attendent was injured. Severe turbulence forecast.

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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