# NTSB DCA14CA051: Mcdonnell Douglas MD 88, N921DL, Atlanta, GA, January 31, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 31, 2014, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.636943, -84.428054
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6369&lon=-84.4281&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 144 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA14CA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88755/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88755
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA14CA051

## Probable cause

Inattention by ground crew personnel which resulted in the airplane being substantially damaged.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Airport personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Before departure and while the airplane was being de-iced by ground crew personnel, the de-icing bucket struck the left side of the fuselage and dislodged a passenger window. As a result, the airplane was substantially damaged and the pressure vessel was compromised. There were no reported injuries.

## Factual narrative

Before departure and while the airplane was being de-iced by ground crew personnel, the de-icing bucket struck the left side of the fuselage and dislodged a passenger window. As a result, the airplane was substantially damaged and the pressure vessel was compromised. There were no reported injuries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N921DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N921DL-2019-08-22), registration cancelled 2019-08-22, S/N 49645, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD 88 (88)
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-md-88) (registry code 3023688) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49645
- Year built: 1988
- Airframe hours: 65507
- Engines: P&W JT8D turbo fan; P&W JT8D turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 3, 2014
- Departed: ATL, Atlanta, GA
- Destination: MIA, MIAMI, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ATL, Hartsfield - Atlanta Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review December 11, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 11,436 total, 6,952 in this make and model, 5,484 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KATL, 1 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 2, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88755. 4.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – Dislocated Window (item 2, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Dislocated%20Window-Master.PDF

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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