Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51 accident near Detroit, Michigan, July 25, 2001
On July 25, 2001 at about 4:10 pm local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51, registered N780NC, was involved in an accident near Detroit, Michigan (Wayne County airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 96 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The passenger (an off duty flight attendant) disregarded the flight crews warning regarding turbulence along with the seat belt sign which had been turned on.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 2001 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- Detroit, Michigan · Wayne County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 96 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51 · all DC-9-51s on the register
- Registration
- N780NC · registry record · serial 9871
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
An off duty flight attendant received a broken ankle when the airplane encountered moderate turbulence during descent. The captain reported the seat belt sign had been turned on and a passenger announcement was made regarding the likelyhood of encountering turbulence. The captain reported that light turbulence was encountered followed by moderate turbulence between an altitude of 18,000 feet and 12,000 feet. The injured off duty flight attendant reported, "Just before the descent began into Detroit, several passengers went to the lavatory and returned with no difficulty. I chose to give all other passengers the opportunity to go before I did. The flight was continuing smoothly as I made my way from my seat on the right side of the exit row, aft to the lavatory. While returning to my seat, the aircraft began to encounter some moderate turbulence as is normal while descending. I held to the seat backs to support myself as I walked forward toward my seat. As I neared my seat, the aircraft encountered a severe pocket of air with absolutely no warning whatsoever. I was lifted into the air as the aircraft dipped, then falling to the floor of the cabin. I could tell immediately that my ankle was broken because of its angle, and the terrible pain." A review of the flight data recorder data revealed the vertical acceleration of the airplane between 14,429 feet and 11,114 feet varied between .56 g's and 1.39 g's.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,058 hours in all; 7,029 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,051 hours in all; 1,395 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme
- Maximum gross weight: 121,000 lb
- Seats: 130
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: P&W JT8D-17 (H) (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W JT*D-17(H) (turbojet); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ATL Atlanta GA at 2:48 pm
- Destination: DTW Detroit MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 18,000 ft; a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from DTW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 5 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 91 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.