What happened
On a scheduled flight from Fort Lauderdale to Los and Angeles, with an intermediate stop in Dallas, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar operated by Delta Air Lines encountered extreme weather conditions while approaching Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The flight, carrying 152 passengers and 11 crew members, initially diverted its route to avoid developing thunderstorms near the Texas-Louisiana coast. This detour resulted in a brief holding pattern near Texarkana, Arkansas.
As the aircraft approached the airport, the flightcrew observed rain and lightning ahead. While descending through 5,000 feet, the crew noted the presence of rain showers and communicated with approach control regarding the weather. During the final approach to runway 17L, the aircraft entered a region of intense weather. The captain noted a sudden change in airspeed and engine performance as the plane encountered severe turbulence and wind fluctuations.
At approximately 18:05, the Ground Proximity Warning System issued a pull-up alert, and the captain commanded full power. Shortly after, the aircraft struck a vehicle on State Highway 114, located about 1.25 miles from the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to strike a light pole and a water tank, leading to a massive explosion and the disintegration of the airframe. The accident resulted in 134 fatalities on board the aircraft, along with the death of the motorist, and left 27 passengers and crew members injured.
Findings
- The flightcrew chose to proceed with the approach into a cumulonimbus cloud despite observing visible lightning.
- There was an absence of specific training, procedures, or guidelines for the avoidance and escape of low-level windshear.
- The crew lacked access to definitive, real-time information regarding windshear hazards.
- The primary cause was the encounter with severe microburst-induced windshear at a low altitude during the final approach.