Accident · 2015-03-05

NTSB case DCA15FA085 · MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD 88 · Part 121

What the record says

Event date
2015-03-05
Event type
Accident
Highest injury level
No injuries
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD 88 (N909DL)
Operating rule
Part 121
Operator
DELTA AIR LINES, INC. Operator named in NTSB report
Operated by (per NTSB report)
Delta Air Lines

Probable cause

the captain's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane due to his application of excessive reverse thrust, which degraded the effectiveness of the rudder in controlling the airplane's heading. Contributing to the accident were the captain's (1) situational stress resulting from his concerns about stopping performance and (2) attentional limitations due to the high workload during the landing, which prevented him from immediately recognizing the use of excessive reverse thrust.

Source: NTSB case DCA15FA085

Flight crew

Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.

RoleCertificateInstrument ratingAgeMedicalFlight hours
Pilot pilot flyingAirline transport pilotAirplane56Class 1 (2015-01-05)15,203 total · 11,687 in this make/model · 150 last 90 days
Co-pilot pilot flyingAirline transport pilotAirplane46Class 1 (2014-07-26)4,708 total · 2,937 in this make/model · 185 last 90 days

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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