# NTSB ATL91LA123: Boeing 757-232, N605DL, Alma, GA, July 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1991, 12:07 local (16:07 UTC)
- Place: Alma, GA
- Coordinates: 31.540473, -82.47039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5405&lon=-82.4704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 124 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8428/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA123

## Probable cause

TURBULENCE IN CLOUDS, WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A DISSIPATING THUNDERSTORM.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible

## Analysis

THE PILOTS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE DEVIATING AROUND TWO THUNDERSTORM CELLS LOCATED 20 TO 25 MILES EAST OF THEIR POSITION.  AS THEY CAME OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF A CIRRUS LAYER, THEY OBSERVED A DISSIPATING CUMULUS CLOUD IN THEIR FLIGHT PATH.  THIS CLOUD WAS NOT OBSERVED ON THEIR WEATHER RADAR, AND AVOIDANCE WOULD HAVE REQUIRED AN ABRUPT, VIOLENT MANEUVER.  THE FLIGHT CREW ACTIVATED THE SEAT BELT SIGN JUST PRIOR TO CLOUD PENETRATION.  THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A TURBULENCE EPISODE OF ABOUT FOUR SECONDS IN DURATION.  A FEMALE PASSENGER, WHO WAS ENTERING THE LAVATORY AT THE TIME CAUGHT HER FOOT IN THE LAVATORY DOOR, BREAKING HER ANKLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N605DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N605DL-2022-11-07), registration cancelled 2022-11-07, S/N 22812, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 757-232
- Registry model: [Boeing 757-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-232) (registry code 1384965) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW2037](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw2037) (registry code 52117, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22812
- Engines: P&W 2037 37500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MCO, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,550 total, 65 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: VAD, 49 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 19910704030619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910704030619A), Jul 4, 1991: Boeing 757232, Alma, GA. Encountered cumulus cloud. No time to deviate. Passenger injured. Seat belt sign not on while avoiding build ups.

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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