Delta Air Lines Flight 1288

Delta Air Lines Flight 1288
The engine after it experienced catastrophic uncontained compressor rotor failure
Accident
DateJuly 6, 1996 (1996-07-06)
SummaryUncontained engine failure
SiteRunway 17 at Pensacola Regional Airport, Pensacola, Florida, United States
30°28′40″N 87°11′25″W / 30.47778°N 87.19028°W / 30.47778; -87.19028
Aircraft

N927DA, the aircraft involved and later returned to service, photographed in July 2015, 18 years and 11 months after the incident.
Aircraft typeMcDonnell Douglas MD-88
OperatorDelta Air Lines
IATA flight No.DL1288
ICAO flight No.DAL1288
Call signDELTA 1288
RegistrationN927DA
Flight originPensacola Regional Airport, Pensacola, Florida
DestinationWilliam B. Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia
Occupants142
Passengers137
Crew5
Fatalities2
Injuries7
Survivors140

Delta Air Lines Flight 1288 was a regularly scheduled flight from Pensacola, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia. On July 6, 1996, the aircraft serving the flight, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, was on takeoff roll from Runway 17 at Pensacola when it experienced an uncontained, catastrophic turbine engine failure that caused debris from the front compressor hub of the left engine to penetrate the left aft fuselage. The cause of the engine failure was found to have been a fault in the manufacture of the fan. The failure of the airline to spot the resulting crack in the blade was a contributing factor.

The impact killed a female passenger and her son, and seven other passengers were injured. The pilot aborted takeoff and the airplane stopped on the runway. Three other passengers sustained minor injuries during the emergency evacuation. Most of the passengers were traveling on vacation.