# NTSB CHI98LA058: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50, N774NC, Memphis, TN, December 7, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1997, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Location: 35.0424° N, 89.9767° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FREDERICK W SMITH INTL/MEMPHIS (MEM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0424&lon=-89.9767&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 126 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA058

## Probable cause

the flight attendant lost his balance during pushback and struck his head on a galley door.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, taxi - pushback/tow
  - miscellaneous, flight attendant (cause)

## Analysis

The captain and a ground handler reported that pushback was normal. The captain was then informed that the lead flight attendant had been injured and was complaining of dizziness and nausea. The airplane was returned to the gate. The flight attendant reported that as the aircraft was being pushed back, it jerked, and he hit his head on a galley door. He received medical attention, and initial indication was that he had received a concussion and torn muscles to the neck and head.

## Factual narrative

On December 7, 1997, at 1340 central standard time, the lead flight attendant of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50, N774NC, operated by Northwest Airlines, was seriously injured when the airplane was pushed back from a gate.  The 14 CFR Part 121 Flight 807 was being pushed back from a gate at the Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee.  The intended destination was Nashville International Airport, Nashville, Tennessee.  When the tug vehicle stopped, the flight attendant lost his balance and hit his head on a galley door.  The flight attendant received serious injuries and was taken to a hospital.  Neither of the pilots, the two other flight attendants, or 122 passengers were injured.

The captain reported that the pushback was normal.  When he was informed that the lead flight attendant had been injured and was complaining of dizziness and nausea, the airplane was returned to the gate.

An aircraft ground handler reported that the airplane was pushed back in the normal manner.  After the airplane was disconnected, he was informed that the airplane was returning to the gate due to an injured flight attendant.

The flight attendant reported that as the aircraft was being pushed back, it jerked and he hit his head on a galley door.  The airplane was returned to the gate where he received medical attention.  The initial indication was that he had received a concussion and torn muscles to the neck and head.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N774NC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N774NC-2018-12-06), registration cancelled 2018-12-06, S/N 47776, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-51) (registry code 3022051) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47776
- Engines: P&W JT8D-17 14000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Northwest Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MEM
- Destination: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MEM, Memphis International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 8,949 total, 7,383 in this make and model, 132 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

## 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 19971207043229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971207043229A), Dec 7, 1997: Doug DC951, Memphis, TN. Flight attendant lost balance during pushback in a turn. Injured. (.4)the captain and a ground handler reported that pushback was normal. The captain was then…

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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