Incident Overview
On approach to Atlanta, a Delta Air Lines flight (DAL147) was instructed to change runways and turn to a heading of 180 degrees. The flight was in clouds when the crew reported traffic on TCAS climbing from 11,000 feet. The pilot flying disengaged the autopilot to expedite the turn, resulting in a serious injury to a flight attendant in the cabin.
Sequence of Events
The crew of DAL147 stated they were inbound to Atlanta at 12,000 feet on a heading of 227 degrees, sequenced for runway 08, when air traffic control switched them to the south runway. They were told to turn to 180 degrees when able and to look for traffic at 11,000 feet. While executing the turn in clouds, DAL147 responded to the TARH controller that they had the traffic on TCAS, climbing out of 11,000 feet and approaching their altitude. The TCAS indicated the traffic was climbing to 14,000 feet.
Evasive Maneuver
The pilot flying turned off the autopilot to make the turn quicker and avoid the traffic. When the autopilot disengaged, a flight attendant in the back of the airplane was seriously injured.
Air Traffic Control Communications
FAA transcripts revealed that the TARH controller told DAL147 the traffic would be leveling at 11,000 feet and instructed the crew to maintain visual separation from the traffic. The transcripts also showed that at 1902:43, the traffic, a Continental Airlines flight (COA66), was climbing in the clouds and had been cleared to 14,000 feet instead of 11,000 feet.