# NTSB MIA93LA110: Boeing 757-232, N646DL, Miami, FL, April 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1993, 22:18 local (Apr 27, 1993, 02:18 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Location: 25.7743° N, 80.1937° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miami, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7743&lon=-80.1937&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 61 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA110

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ANTICIPATE TURBULENCE IN OBSERVED WEATHER AND REQUEST THAT FLIGHT ATTENDANTS BE SEATED, BEFORE ENCOUNTERING THE OBSERVED WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm,level ii
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - crew/group briefing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE WHILE DESCENDING THROUGH 11,000 FEET ON INITIAL APPROACH TO MIAMI, FLORIDA. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING NEAR A LEVEL TWO RADAR ECHO AND THE CAPTAIN REPORTED THEY WERE CROSSING A NARROW BAND OF CLOUDS AND WERE IN CLOUDS AT THE TIME OF THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER. AFTER EXITING THE CLOUDS THE CAPTAIN OBSERVED A THUNDERSTORM CELL 7 TO 8 MILES SOUTH OF THEIR POSITION. NO SIGNIFICANT WEATHER WAS SHOWING ON THE AIRCRAFT'S RADAR AT THE TIME OF THE ENCOUNTER ACCORDING TO THE CAPTAIN. A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WHO WAS EXITING THE AFT LAVORATORY WAS LIFTED OFF THE FLOOR DURING THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER AND SUSTAINED AN ANKLE INJURY WHEN SHE LANDED. SHE WAS WEARING 2-INCH HIGH HEEL SHOES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. SHE STATED THE SEATBELT SIGN WAS ON AT THE TIME AND ALL PASSENGERS WERE SEATED. THE COCKPIT CREW HAD MADE NO ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO BE SEATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N646DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N646DL-2018-10-30), registration cancelled 2018-10-30, S/N 24217, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 757-232
- Registry model: [Boeing 757-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-232) (registry code 1384965) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW2037](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw2037) (registry code 52117, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24217
- Airframe hours: 14176
- Engines: 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, April 25, 1993
- Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 180 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 30 nm away

## 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 19930426037469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930426037469A), Apr 26, 1993: Boeing 757232, Miami, FL. On descent to Miami encountered severe clear air turbulence. Stewardess received broken ankle. Thunderstorms nearby

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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