# NTSB DCA19CA208: Mcdonnell Douglas MD88, N911DL, Chicago, IL, August 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 26, 2019, 20:37 local (Aug 27, 2019, 00:37 UTC) - Place: Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.974445, -87.906669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9744&lon=-87.9067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 151 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 22, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 100175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA19CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100175/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100175 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA208 ## Probable cause an encounter with convective turbulence during descent. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence: convective turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 145 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis On August 26, 2019, about 2037 central daylight time, Delta Airlines as flight 805, a Boeing MD-88, N911DL, encountered turbulence during descent to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD), Chicago, Illinois. Of the 152 passengers and crew onboard, one flight attendant was seriously injured and there was no damage to the airplane. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (KATL), Atlanta, Georgia. According to the flight crew, during initial descent, they heard reports of moderate turbulence from preceding airplanes on arrival. The captain contacted the cabin crew and informed them of the upcoming moderate turbulence and instructed them to be seated. Shortly after, while deviating around an area of weather, the airplane encountered approximately 10 to 15 seconds of moderate turbulence. According to cabin crew statements, they had finished service and had stowed everything they needed to in the galley. The captain notified them that turbulence "was coming in three to five minutes." The aft flight attendant was returning to his jumpseat when the turbulence was encountered and was unable to maintain his balance and fell to the floor. After the turbulence had subsided the injured flight attendant was able to make it back to his jumpseat and immobilize his ankle. The flight attendants informed the flight crew of the injury and medical personnel met the airplane at the gate. A subsequent x-ray indicated the flight attendant sustained a fractured distal fibula. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 2019, about 2037 central daylight time, Delta Airlines as flight 805, a Boeing MD-88, N911DL, encountered turbulence during descent to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD), Chicago, Illinois. Of the 152 passengers and crew onboard, one flight attendant was seriously injured and there was no damage to the airplane. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (KATL), Atlanta, Georgia. According to the flight crew, during initial descent, they heard reports of moderate turbulence from preceding airplanes on arrival. The captain contacted the cabin crew and informed them of the upcoming moderate turbulence and instructed them to be seated. Shortly after, while deviating around an area of weather, the airplane encountered approximately 10 to 15 seconds of moderate turbulence. According to cabin crew statements, they had finished service and had stowed everything they needed to in the galley. The captain notified them that turbulence "was coming in three to five minutes." The aft flight attendant was returning to his jumpseat when the turbulence was encountered and was unable to maintain his balance and fell to the floor. After the turbulence had subsided the injured flight attendant was able to make it back to his jumpseat and immobilize his ankle. The flight attendants informed the flight crew of the injury and medical personnel met the airplane at the gate. A subsequent x-ray indicated the flight attendant sustained a fractured distal fibula. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N911DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N911DL-2024-12-30), registration cancelled 2024-12-30, S/N 49542, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mcdonnell Douglas MD88 (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: 49542 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 80632 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 turbo jet; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 turbo jet - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Delta Air Lines, Inc - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: September 27, 2019 - Departed: KATL, Atlanta, GA - Destination: KORD, Chicago, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KORD, Chicago O'Hare International - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review August 8, 2019; seat: left; flight hours: 2,748 total, 1,949 in this make and model, 160 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1; last flight review January 26, 2019; seat: right; flight hours: 819 total, 819 in this make and model, 187 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: KORD, 54 nm away ## Other investigations on N911DL (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 FTW02LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA199), Jul 2, 2002: McDonnell Douglas MD-88 (N911DL), Houston, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the parked vehicles. Factors contributing to the accident were the airport's failure to properly identify the construction area, their failure to… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100175. 12.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483259&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Specialist Report (item 2, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Specialist%20Report-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 1 - Crew Statements (item 3, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483261&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%201%20-%20Crew%20Statements-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 2 - Flight Crew Training Records (item 4, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%202%20-%20Flight%20Crew%20Training%20Records-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 3 - Accident Flight Dispatch Release (item 5, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%203%20-%20Accident%20Flight%20Dispatch%20Release-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 4 - Aircraft Flight Weight Data Record (item 6, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%204%20-%20Aircraft%20Flight%20Weight%20Data%20Record-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 5 - Accident Flight ACARS [Excerpts] (item 7, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483324&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%205%20-%20Accident%20Flight%20ACARS%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 6 - Archeived PIREPs (item 8, .CSV, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483325&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%206%20-%20Archeived%20PIREPs-Master.csv - Operational Factors Attachment 7 - Delta Air Lines Airway Manual [Excerpts] (item 9, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%207%20-%20Delta%20Air%20Lines%20Airway%20Manual%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Master.PDF - Operatioanl Factors Attachment 8 - Delta Air Lines Flight Operations Manual [Excerpts] (item 10, .PDF, 329 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operatioanl%20Factors%20Attachment%208%20-%20Delta%20Air%20Lines%20Flight%20Operations%20Manual%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 9 - Delta Air Lines Operations Manual MD88/90 Vol. 1 and 2 [Excerpts] (item 11, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483328&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%209%20-%20Delta%20Air%20Lines%20Operations%20Manual%20MD88%2F90%20Vol.%201%20and%202%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 10 - Delta Air Lines On-Board Manual [Excerpts] (item 12, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483329&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%2010%20-%20Delta%20Air%20Lines%20On-Board%20Manual%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Master.PDF - Operational Factors Attachment 11 - Delta Air Lines Flight Crew Training Manual [Excerpts] (item 13, .PDF, 379 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operational%20Factors%20Attachment%2011%20-%20Delta%20Air%20Lines%20Flight%20Crew%20Training%20Manual%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Master.PDF - Weather Study (item 14, .PDF, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483331&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Study-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.