Probable cause
Inattention by ground crew personnel which resulted in the airplane being substantially damaged.
NTSB analysis
Before departure and while the airplane was being de-iced by ground crew personnel, the de-icing bucket struck the left side of the fuselage and dislodged a passenger window. As a result, the airplane was substantially damaged and the pressure vessel was compromised. There were no reported injuries.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA14CA051 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 31, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Hartsfield - Atlanta Intl (ATL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mcdonnell Douglas Aircraft Co MD 88
- N-number
- N921DL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1988
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.