# NTSB MIA95LA055: McDonnell Douglas MD-88, N981DL, Monroe, LA, January 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 6, 1995, 09:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Monroe, LA - Coordinates: 32.509105, -92.079803 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5091&lon=-92.0798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 69 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37720 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37720/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA055 ## Probable cause an in-flight encounter with weather during a climb, resulting in an injury to a flight attendant who got out of her seat to perform a duty. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise - weather condition - turbulence (cause) - seat belt - not used, flight attendant ## Analysis The Captain stated that the airplane encountered light-to-moderate turbulence on climb-out. The cabin seat belt signs were illuminated, and the flight attendants were briefed to remain seated. The airplane weather avoidance radar was on and no significant weather was present on the radar screen. An overhead compartment had opened up in the cabin area, and a flight attendant got up to secure the compartment. The airplane encountered a couple seconds of intense moderate turbulence, and the flight attendant collided with the cabin overhead panels. The flight diverted to another airport to obtain medical treatment for the injured flight attendant. Review of the digital flight data recorder revealed the airplane experienced a vertical excursion of 1.9 g's. ## Factual narrative On January 6, 1995, about 0920 central standard time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, N981DL, registered to Wilmington Trust Company, operated by Delta Air Lines Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 121 scheduled, domestic, passenger flight, encountered turbulence on climbout about 30 miles east of Monroe, Louisiana. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was not damaged. The airline transport pilot- in-command, airline transport first officer, 2 flight attendants, and 66 passengers were not injured. One flight attendant sustained a serious injury. The flight originated from Monroe, Louisiana, about 4 minutes before the accident, and diverted to Jackson, Mississippi. The pilot-in-command stated the airplane encountered light to moderate turbulence on climb-out. The cabin seatbelt signs were illuminated and the flight attendants were briefed to remain seated. The airplane weather avoidance radar was on and no significant weather was present on the radar screen. An overhead compartment had opened up in the cabin area, and a flight attendant got up to secure the overhead compartment. The airplane encountered a couple of seconds of intense moderate turbulence, and the flight attendant collided with the cabin overhead panels. The digital flight data recorder (DFDR) was removed from the airplane by Delta Airlines personnel for retrieval and analysis. Examination of the DFDR revealed the airplane was climbing through 9,187 feet when the airplane was subjected to intense vertical acceleration (or "g") activity for about 2 1/2 seconds. The DFDR revealed a peak "g" value of 1.771 to a minimum value of -0.276 for a total of 1.9 "g" excursion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N981DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N981DL-2022-11-30), registration cancelled 2022-11-30, S/N 53268, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas MD-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: 53268 - Airframe hours: 10507 - Engines: P&W JT8D-219 21000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Delta Airlines - Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, January 5, 1995, 1 hours before - Departed: MLU, MONROE, LA - Destination: PNS, PENSACOLA, FL - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,336 total, 2,769 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 1 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MLU, 12 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 19950106001249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950106001249A), Jan 6, 1995: Doug MD88, Monroe, LA. Severe turbulence on climb to cruise. Flight attendant injured. Diverted. 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.