# NTSB ATL97LA075: Lockheed L-1011-385-3, N768DL, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), May 26, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1997
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 223 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA075

## Probable cause

The failure of the flight attendants to maintain control of loose cabin service equipment, a salt shaker, that resulted in an uncorrected tripping hazard.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,galley - loose
  - visual lookout - inadequate, flight attendant
  - miscellaneous equipment - uncontrolled, flight attendant (cause)

## Analysis

While in cruise during the international flight, a flight attendant stepped on a salt shaker, breaking her left ankle and cutting her finger. She was in the first class galley at the time of the accident. The flight was at 35,000 feet, and there was no reported turbulence. First aid was administered by the second officer, followed by medical treatment at the destination.

## Factual narrative

On May 26, 1997, at 0505 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), N768DL, a Lockheed L-1011-385-3, was enroute, from Atlanta to Amsterdam, Netherlands, when a flight attendant was seriously injured during the cruise phase of flight. The Delta Air Lines, scheduled, international, passenger flight, was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121, with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. One flight attendant was seriously injured, and the airline transport pilot, first officer, flight engineer, nine flight attendants, and 211 passengers sustained no injuries. The flight departed Atlanta at 2127 eastern daylight time (0127 GMT).

The flight was near Benbecula, a navaid on an island off the coast of Scotland, when the accident occurred. There was no report of turbulence. The sky was clear and the air was smooth. There were no mechanical problems reported with the aircraft. The A-Line flight attendant advised the Captain that one of the flight attendants had stepped on a salt shaker, in the First Class Galley, breaking her left ankle and cutting one of her fingers. The second officer administered First Aid. Paramedics met the flight at the destination.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N768DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N768DL-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 193H-1216, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Lockheed L-1011-385-3 (L-1011-385)
- Registry model: [Lockheed L-1011-385-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-l-1011-385-3) (registry code 5265020) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce RB-211 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-rb-211-series) (registry code 54555, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 193H-1216
- Airframe hours: 63459
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RB.211 41000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 6, 1997, 239 hours before
- Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: AMS, AMSTERDAM
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16,400 total, 931 in this make and model, 59 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 2° at 13 knots
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMS

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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