Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
IN-FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE IN THE VICINITY OF THUNDERSTORMS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT(S).
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 29, 1994, at 1345 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 767-200, N606TW, operated as Trans World Airlines Flight 917, encountered turbulence while holding. One flight attendant received serious injures and three flight attendants received minor injuries. The airplane was not damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight 917 was operating on an instrument flight plan under 14 CFR Part 121.
Flight 917 departed Barcelona, Spain, and its destination was John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, New York. The captain reported the flight was holding over the Hampton VOR at FL 240 (24,000 feet). He also reported the seat belt sign was illuminated in the cabin and all passengers had been checked for seat belt usage. He described the turbulence as "very short" in duration.
According to an FAA report, and a telephone interview with the TWA Vice President of Safety and Engineering, a flight attendant was at work in the forward cabin, preparing the cabin for descent and arrival. The airplane encountered turbulence and the flight attendant was thrown into the air. Upon landing, he broke both ankles. The airplane was operating in visual meteorological conditions, between cloud layers, and thunderstorms were present in the area at the time of the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC94LA111