# NTSB DCA25LA041: Boeing 757-231, N717TW, Cooper Hill, MO, November 18, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 18, 2024, 17:35 local (23:35 UTC) - Place: Cooper Hill, MO - Coordinates: 38.3858, -91.6963 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3858&lon=-91.6963&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 106 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - Parties: FAA, Delta Air Lines - NTSB case key (mKey): 195519 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA25LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195519/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA041 ## Probable cause An encounter with convective induced turbulence which resulted in a flight attendant serious injury. ## 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: [Boeing 757-231, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=1384908), [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. - [Enroute-cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 757-231, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=1384908), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis Delta Airlines flight 1660, encountered turbulence at an altitude of FL 320 while enroute from Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Kansas City, Missouri, to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia. One flight attendant (FA) sustained a serious injury, and the remaining crewmembers and passengers were uninjured. According to the captain, during the inbound leg to MCI, the flight encountered light turbulence. As a precaution, he instructed the FAs to complete the initial and final announcements simultaneously. That arrival was uneventful. For the outbound leg (MCI–ATL), the captain briefed the FAs to remain seated until he advised them it was safe to begin service. During climbout, the aircraft encountered light turbulence; however, upon reaching cruise altitude above a cloud deck, the flight was smooth. The flight crew reviewed the Flight Weather Viewer – a Delta proprietary app provided to their flight crews to use as a secondary source of weather, which indicated they were exiting the outer edge of an area of convection. No turbulence plots had been issued by Delta for the area, and other aircraft in the area also reported smooth conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) Aviation Weather Center had issued a Convective Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) for an area of thunderstorms moving from 230° at 45 knots with tops to FL420 for the area. The advisory implied the potential for severe turbulence in and near the storms. After confirming smooth conditions, the captain advised the lead FA that cabin service could begin. About five minutes later, while in clear air, the airplane abruptly rolled about 15° to the right. The autopilot corrected the deviation, and the airplane experienced about 3 to 4 seconds of “moderate turbulence” before returning to smooth flight. The captain contacted the cabin to check on the FAs. One FA reported she had struck her head and shoulder but declined immediate medical assistance. The remainder of the flight continued uneventfully, and the airplane landed without further incident in Atlanta. After parking at the gate, the captain again confirmed the condition of the FA. The FA who struck her head stated she was communicating with inflight services and crew tracking regarding her next assignment. The captain provided his contact information for follow-up and reported the incident to the duty pilot. Meteorological reports provided by the airline indicated the flight likely encountered convective turbulence while overflying an area of convection which extended along the general route of flight. Delta issued a turbulence plot about 30 minutes later for the area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N717TW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N717TW), registered now, S/N 28485, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 757-231 - Registry model: [Boeing 757-231](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-231) (registry code 1384908) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW2037](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw2037) (registry code 52117, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28485 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 90764.24 - Engines: P & W PW2037 37530 lbs thrust turbo fan; P & W PW2037 37530 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Delta Air Lines Inc - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 3, 2024 - Departed: KMCI, Kansas City, MO - Destination: KATL, Atlanta, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review October 15, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 6,417 total, 6,417 in this make and model, 1,141 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 36; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 25, 2024; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,948 total, 290 in this make and model, 1,051 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Not reported 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.