Incident Overview
On May 23, 2011, at approximately 1520 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 757-223 (registration N623DL) operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 2001 experienced turbulence while in cruise flight. The flight was en route from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a scheduled passenger service.
Injuries and Damage
One passenger sustained a serious injury (a broken ankle), and one of the four flight attendants received a minor injury. The two flight crew members, the other three flight attendants, and the remaining 180 passengers were uninjured. The aircraft was not damaged and continued to its destination in Atlanta.
Context and Crew Report
The flight crew reported that while cruising at FL340, approximately 200 miles northeast of Atlanta, they were navigating through an area of forecast convective weather. They were maneuvering between two thunderstorm cells when they inadvertently entered the edge of a cumulus cloud buildup, at which point the turbulence occurred. The seat belt sign had been illuminated prior to the event. The seriously injured passenger was out of her seat at the time and fell, resulting in the broken ankle.
Regulatory Information
The flight was conducted under Part 121 regulations, which govern scheduled air carrier operations. No further details regarding weather or air traffic control communications were provided in the report.