Accident Details
On March 28, 2009, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, registration N941DL, operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 1966, encountered inflight turbulence while on approach to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia. The flight was conducted under commercial transport regulations (14 CFR Part 121) with an instrument flight rules flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the occurrence. The flight had originated from El Paso International Airport (ELP) in El Paso, Texas, at 0941 EDT.
Flight Crew and Cabin Crew Actions
Prior to the turbulence encounter, the flight crew had activated the fasten seat belt sign and announced over the public address system that all passengers and flight attendants should be seated because the aircraft was expected to enter “rough air.” One flight attendant, stationed in the first-class galley, secured all loose items and then sat down and fastened her seat belt. She reported that within a few minutes, the airplane “dropped severely.”
A second flight attendant stated that during the initial approach to ATL, the flight crew announced for everyone to take their seats. It took approximately one minute to stow items in the galley. He then proceeded with a third flight attendant to the aft jumpseat, but neither of them fastened their restraints. Before the turbulence, the second flight attendant instructed a passenger returning from the lavatory to sit down and made a public address for all passengers to remain seated. He also addressed a child in row 28 who had tried to get up. After these interactions, he returned to the jumpseat next to the third flight attendant.
Turbulence Encounter and Injuries
Within about a minute of his return, a sudden jolt of turbulence lasting 2 to 3 seconds occurred. Both flight attendants were thrown from the aft jumpseat, which retracted into its stowed position. The third flight attendant fell onto her side and struck her elbow, shoulder, and head against the lavatory door. The second flight attendant then helped her back onto the jumpseat and fastened her seat belt. The captain called back to check on the crew, and the second flight attendant reported that the third flight attendant had hit her head and sustained a cut on her arm. The captain stated that paramedics would meet the flight upon arrival.
Aircraft Damage
According to a Delta Flight Safety representative, damage to the airplane was limited to ceiling panels above the injured flight attendant’s jumpseat. The panels were replaced, and the aircraft was returned to service.
Procedural Changes
Prior to this event, the Delta Airlines Onboard Manual (flight attendant manual) included the guidance: “flight attendants should be seated immediately when directed by the captain to take their seats due to moderate or severe turbulence.” Following the incident, the turbulence guidance was revised to state: “flight attendants must be seated with seat belts and shoulder harness secured during moderate/severe turbulence or when directed by the captain.”