Summary
On September 29, 2011, a Boeing 737-823 (N804NN) was involved in an accident near Miami, FL. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, with 165 people uninjured out of 166 aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The in-flight encounter with clear air turbulence, which resulted in an injury to a cabin attendant.
According to crew statements, the airplane was descending through approximately 16,000 feet in clear air when it encountered two jolts that did not damage the airplane, but resulted in a flight attendant being lifted off the deck and hitting the ceiling, then being thrown to the floor and breaking her ankle. The flight attendant was in the galley preparing for landing, and the seat belt sign was illuminated. The captain had previously deviated for weather, and the airplane was operating between cloud buildups at the time. The captain also noted that the air was relatively smooth, and that radar returns indicated that the airplane was greater than 20 miles from any significant weather.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA511. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N804NN.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The in-flight encounter with clear air turbulence, which resulted in an injury to a cabin attendant.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to crew statements, the airplane was descending through approximately 16,000 feet in clear air when it encountered two jolts that did not damage the airplane, but resulted in a flight attendant being lifted off the deck and hitting the ceiling, then being thrown to the floor and breaking her ankle. The flight attendant was in the galley preparing for landing, and the seat belt sign was illuminated. The captain had previously deviated for weather, and the airplane was operating between cloud buildups at the time. The captain also noted that the air was relatively smooth, and that radar returns indicated that the airplane was greater than 20 miles from any significant weather.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA511