# NTSB ATL88LA084: Boeing 767-332, N117DL, Block Island, RI, January 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1988, 23:20 local (Jan 26, 1988, 04:20 UTC)
- Place: Block Island, RI
- Location: 41.1918° N, 71.5745° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Block Island, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1918&lon=-71.5745&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 151 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA084

## 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,clear air (contributing factor)
  - crew/group briefing - disregarded, flight attendant (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, flight attendant (cause)

## Analysis

THE CAPT RPTDLY ADVISED THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO SECURE THE CABIN AND BE SEATED  DUE TO TURBULENCE EXPECTED DURING DESCENT.  ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE AIRPLANE BRIEFLY ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE WHILE PASSING THROUGH ABOUT FL230.  A FLIGHT ATTENDANT SUSTAINED A BROKEN ANKLE DURING THE ENCOUNTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N117DL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 767-332
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23276
- Airframe hours: 3415
- Engines: GE CF6-80A2 50000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines, Inc., doing business as Delta Air Lines
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: PBI, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
- Destination: BOS, BOSTON, MA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 903 in this make and model, 168 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

## 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 19880125071799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880125071799A), Jan 25, 1988: Boeing 767332, Block Island, RI. Seat signs on attendants advised secure for turbulence on descent at FL230 attendant broke ankle. Severe 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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