# NTSB ATL89FA161: Lockheed L1011-385-1, N721DA, Jacks Creek, TN, June 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1989, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Jacks Creek, TN
- Location: 35.4691° N, 88.5146° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jacks Creek, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4691&lon=-88.5146&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 7 serious, 23 minor, 259 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA161

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PASSENGERS TO REMAIN SEATED WITH THEIR SEAT BELTS FASTENED AS THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED UNFORECAST SEVERE CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE.

## 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)
  - weather forecast - inaccurate (contributing factor)
  - seat belt - disregarded, passenger (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N721DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N721DA-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 193C-1139, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L1011-385-1 (L1011-385-)
- Registry model: [Lockheed L-1011-385-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-l-1011-385-1) (registry code 5265010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce RB-211-22 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-rb-211-22-series) (registry code 54554, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 193C-1139
- Airframe hours: 40459
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RB211-22B 40000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Delta Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: SEA, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; 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: 25,500 total, 2,800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL

## 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 19890616016959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890616016959A), Jun 16, 1989: Lkheed 10113851, Jacks Creek, TN, Minor damage. Encountered severe turbulence in descent. Unbelted passengers injured. 14 miles from a thunderstorm.

## Other investigations on N721DA (1)

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 NYC92IA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92IA086), Apr 23, 1992: Lockheed L-1011-385 (N721DA), Flushing, NY, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: THE CAPTAIN'S IMPROPER AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN AN EXCESSIVE NOSEWHEEL RATE OF SINK AND SUBSEQUENT OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE NOSE GEAR TIRES.

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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