Summary
On September 18, 1996, a Airbus Industrie AE 340-300 (DAIGK) was involved in an accident near San Antonio, TX. The accident resulted in 8 minor injuries, with 166 people uninjured out of 174 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: Turbulence, and failure of passengers to properly fasten their seat belts and properly hold lap children after the captain announced expected turbulence.
On September 18, 1996, at 1745 central daylight time, an Airbus AE-340-300, German Registration DAIGK, encountered turbulence near San Antonio, Texas, while en route to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. A total of 8 passengers received minor injuries. Of the injured, 1 adult and 3 infants were sent to the hospital, treated and released. The remaining injured passengers were treated by paramedics at the airport. The 3 infant children were "lap children," ages 3,5 and 16 months respectively. The aircraft was being operated by Lufthansa Airlines as Flight DLH 437, under Title 14 CFR Part 129. The flight originated from the Houston Intercontinental Airport at 1653 and encountered the turbulence approximately 52 minutes after takeoff.
This accident is documented in NTSB report FTW96IA389. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft DAIGK.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
turbulence, and failure of passengers to properly fasten their seat belts and properly hold lap children after the captain announced expected turbulence.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On September 18, 1996, at 1745 central daylight time, an Airbus AE-340-300, German Registration DAIGK, encountered turbulence near San Antonio, Texas, while en route to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. A total of 8 passengers received minor injuries. Of the injured, 1 adult and 3 infants were sent to the hospital, treated and released. The remaining injured passengers were treated by paramedics at the airport. The 3 infant children were "lap children," ages 3,5 and 16 months respectively. The aircraft was being operated by Lufthansa Airlines as Flight DLH 437, under Title 14 CFR Part 129. The flight originated from the Houston Intercontinental Airport at 1653 and encountered the turbulence approximately 52 minutes after takeoff.
The captain reported during an interview conducted by an FAA inspector that, approximately 30 minutes after takeoff, while in cruise flight at FL280, the aircraft's airborne weather radar indicated a possible area of turbulence ahead. The captain turned on the seat belt sign. When the flight was 20 nautical miles north of Three Rivers, Texas (THX), the captain made an announcement over the public address (PA) system for the cabin attendants to take their seats. The flight encountered "strong" turbulence, 30 nautical miles north of San Antonio, Texas, near HENLY intersection. The captain did not notify ARTCC of any injuries until he was executing the Acton 4 arrival procedure at DFW airport, approximately 30 miles south of Acton, Texas, at approximately 1810.
A severe turbulence inspection was performed by Lufthansa maintenance personnel at the DFW Airport. No structural damage was found; however, a cracked overhead plastic light track was found in the main cabin area. The aircraft departed DFW Airport at approximately 2100 for the return leg to Frankfurt, Germany.
Attempts made to obtain a pilot operator report were not successful.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW96IA389