# NTSB investigations: Turbulence encounter

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 7 of 9 · 423 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ERA13LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA366.md): Interstate S-1B1 · Lititz, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2013 · N46336 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to control the airplane’s pitch attitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the initial takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to set the trim in accordance with the pretakeoff checklist and the…
- [NTSB DCA13WA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA13WA134.md): Boeing 737 · Batopilas, Mexico · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Jul 31, 2013 · N173AT · No damage
- [NTSB DCA14WA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA14WA108.md): Boeing 737-800 · Perugia, Italy · Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation · Jul 18, 2013 · EI-DWF · No damage
  > The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of Ireland has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 737-800 that occurred on July 18, 2013. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the AAIU investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB DCA13CA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA13CA128.md): Boeing 777-232 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 12, 2013 · N863DA · No damage
  > Unexpected encounter with convective turbulence while the flight attendants were preparing the cabin for arrival.
- [NTSB CEN13FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA327.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Mosca, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2013 · N7147R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while attempting to clear a mountain pass in turbulent conditions at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA13CA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA195.md): Phoenix Air U15 · Foscoe, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2013 · N94DK · Substantial damage
  > The motorized glider’s encounter with clear air turbulence, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage.
- [NTSB ERA13CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA177.md): Trick Trikes Eagle · Eustis, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 17, 2013 · N44565 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the weight-shift aircraft during the final approach to land.
- [NTSB ERA13LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA171.md): Mcnulty John S Aerolite 103 · Immokalee, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 2013 · N2549W · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to the seizure of the magneto piston.
- [NTSB CEN13LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA198.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Rogers, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 11, 2013 · N71DH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control due to a sudden turbulence encounter while on final approach. Contributing to the accident was ice buildup on the wings’ leading edges.
- [NTSB WPR13LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA131.md): Boeing 747-422 · Pacific Ocean, A1 · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2013 · N174UA · No damage
  > The flight’s encounter with moderate clear air turbulence while en route, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication equipment in the rest compartment, which, if installed, could have…
- [NTSB WPR13FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA072.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Payson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2012 · N62959 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s inadvertent encounter, in night instrument meteorological conditions, with unforecast strong up- and downdrafts and possibly severe airframe icing conditions (which likely included supercooled large droplets that the airplane was not…
- [NTSB CEN13FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA105.md): Beech E-90 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2012 · N67PS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control of the airplane after encountering icing conditions and heavy to extreme turbulence and the subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s design limit, which led to an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB DCA12CA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA149.md): Airbus Industrie A330-323 · Sophia, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 18, 2012 · N273AY · No damage
  > an encounter with moderate turbulence while the flight attendant was securing the cabin for arrival.
- [NTSB WPR12LA428](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA428.md): Rockwell International 690A · Ellensburg, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2012 · N57112 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to avoid a turbulent smoke column, which resulted in an overstress failure of the left aileron control rod.
- [NTSB CEN12TA604](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12TA604.md): Cessna 182P · Newberry, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Sep 2, 2012 · N5981J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to distraction from a combination of smoke in the cockpit and a sudden turbulence encounter while on short final approach. The cause of the cockpit smoke could not be determined due to the extensive…
- [NTSB ERA12CA521](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA521.md): Cessna 152 · Deland, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 21, 2012 · N49054 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control on final approach in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate in an environment of thunderstorms and rapidly deteriorating weather.
- [NTSB ERA12LA498](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA498.md): Embraer ERJ 170-200 LR · Hilton Head, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2012 · N134HQ · No damage
  > The passenger’s failure to adhere to flight and cabin crewmembers’ instructions to remain seated in anticipation of adverse weather and turbulence along the airplane’s flight path.
- [NTSB ERA12WA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12WA457.md): Beech B36TC · Nassau, Bahamas · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 16, 2012 · N6703K · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN12LA427](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA427.md): Murray Richard F Aircam BY Lockwood · Taos, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2012 · N984AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly in gusty wind conditions at low altitude over mountainous terrain contrary to guidance in the airplane flight manual and subsequent loss of airplane control due to wind and turbulence.
- [NTSB DCA12WA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12WA109.md): Boeing 777-222 · Narita, Japan · Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation · Jul 5, 2012 · N224UA · No damage
- [NTSB DCA12WA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12WA108.md): Boeing 747-400 · Tokyo, Japan · Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation · Jul 5, 2012 · HL7473 · No damage
  > On July 5, 2012, a Boeing 747-400, HL7473, operated by Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd., as flight KAL2711, departed from the Gimpo International Airport (GMP), Seoul, South Korea, en route to the Tokyo International Airport (HND), Tokyo, Japan. Approximately 100…
- [NTSB DCA12WA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12WA104.md): Boeing 737 · Frankfurt, Germany · Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation · Jul 5, 2012 · D-ASXE · No damage
  > On 5 July, 2012, at approximately 1100 UTC, a SunExpress Deutschland B737-800, registration D-ASXE, encountered turbulence during cruise between Gaziantep, Turkey, and Frankfurt, Germany. Of the 86 passengers and crew onboard, one crew member received serious…
- [NTSB CEN12CA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA403.md): Ayres S2R-G10 · Minden, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2012 · N3299Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the wake turbulence from a previous pass.
- [NTSB DCA12LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12LA091.md): Boeing 737-724 · Winnie, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2012 · N16709 · No damage
  > the flight crew's penetration of a rapidly developing thunderstorm cell in an area of forecasted convective activity. The serious injuries were the result of a misunderstanding between the captain and cabin crew regarding the potential for turbulence.
- [NTSB DCA12CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA088.md): Airbus Industrie A320-212 · Minneapolis, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 11, 2012 · N352NW · No damage
  > Inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence while in descent.
- [NTSB DCA12CA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA086.md): Boeing 757 2B7 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2012 · N936UW · No damage
  > an inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence.
- [NTSB DCA12WA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12WA081.md): Boeing 737-800 · Dusseldorf, Germany · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · May 17, 2012 · D-ASXH · No damage
  > The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents (BFU) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 737 that occurred on May 17, 2012. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the BFU investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB WPR12FA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA203.md): M Squared Breese · Whitewater, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 13, 2012 · N51336 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude in mountainous terrain in the presence of strong wind and turbulence, which resulted in an aerodynamic upset at too low an altitude for recovery.
- [NTSB WPR12LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA205.md): Infinity 2000 · Hurricane, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 11, 2012 · N541KP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude in a canyon, which resulted in insufficient altitude to recover from an encounter with terrain-induced turbulence.
- [NTSB DCA12FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12FA069.md): Airbus A319-112 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 10, 2012 · N951FR · No damage
  > an inadvertent encounter with convectively induced turbulence developing upwards into the flight path, which was not detected on weather radar as configured by the crew. Contributing to the delay in emergency medical personnel notification was the incomplete…
- [NTSB DCA12CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA062.md): Airbus Industrie A319-132 · Buena Vista, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 15, 2012 · N808AW · Minor damage
  > an inadvertent encounter with mountain wave turbulence.
- [NTSB WPR12LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA149.md): Powrachute Sky Rascal · Indio, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2012 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The operation of an airplane by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during initial climb in gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR12LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA144.md): Boeing 737-7H4 · Laverne, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2012 · N247WN · No damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with severe turbulence during cruise flight, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.
- [NTSB DCA12CA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA059.md): Bombardier CL-600-2B19 · Harrisburg, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 3, 2012 · N453AW · No damage
  > an inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence during descent.
- [NTSB DCA12FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12FA046.md): Airbus A321 · Millville, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 2012 · N162UW · No damage
  > an encounter with convective turbulence that resulted in injury to a passenger who was not seated when the seatbelt sign was illuminated.
- [NTSB WPR12LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA119.md): Boeing 737-7H4 · Pawnee, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2012 · N915WN · No damage
  > The airplane's encounter with moderate turbulence during cruise flight, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.
- [NTSB CEN12LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA166.md): Boeing 737-832 · Detroit, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2012 · N374DA · No damage
  > An in-flight encounter with forecasted turbulence, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant. Contributing to the accident was the flight attendant not being seated with her seatbelt fastened when the encounter occurred.
- [NTSB DCA12CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA033.md): Antonov AN124 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 2, 2012 · RA82046 · No damage
  > an inadvertent encounter with Clear Air Turbulence that resulted in serious injuries to two crewmembers.
- [NTSB WPR12LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA053.md): Boeing 737-7H4 · Oakland, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2011 · N261WN · No damage
  > The flight crew’s flight into known severe turbulence associated with mountain wave activity.
- [NTSB WPR12LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA057.md): Boeing 757-222 · Modesto, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2011 · N547UA · No damage
  > The flight's encounter with known severe turbulence associated with mountain wave activity, which resulted in a flight attendant sustaining a broken ankle.
- [NTSB DCA12WA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12WA010.md): Boeing 777 - 200 · Nani, Kenya · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Oct 28, 2011 · A7-BBD · No damage
  > On October 28, 2011 about 1544 hours UTC, a Boeing 777-200LR, registration number A7-BBD, operated by Qatar Airways, encountered inflight turbulence, during cruise flight near Nani, Kenya. A cabin crew member received serious injuries. The flight originated…
- [NTSB ERA12CA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA044.md): Boeing 767-2B7 · New York, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 20, 2011 · N253AY · No damage
  > The passenger's lack of compliance with the illuminated seatbelt sign, which resulted in her injury during a turbulence encounter.
- [NTSB DCA11WA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA11WA110.md): Boeing 777 · Montauk (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · Serious injuries · Foreign investigation · Sep 12, 2011 · OE-LPB · No damage
  > The Unfalluntersuchungsstelle - Luftfahrt Accident Investigation Branch of Austria has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 777-200 that occurred on September 12, 2011. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the…
- [NTSB ANC11CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA101.md): Douglas DC-8-62F · Yakota, Japan · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 10, 2011 · N71CX · No damage
  > The passenger's decision to ignore the fasten seatbelt sign, resulting in serious injury to the passenger during a turbulence encounter.
- [NTSB DCA11CA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA11CA116.md): Boeing 737 7H4 · Cape Coral, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2011 · N936WN · No damage
  > An encounter with convective turbulence during the descent.
- [NTSB DCA11FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA11FA091.md): Boeing 747-422 · Tangshan, China · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2011 · N173UA · No damage
  > an inadvertent encounter with convectively induced turbulence likely due to radar limitations and convective weather developing upwards into the flight path.
- [NTSB ANC11CA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA058.md): Aviat A-1B · Palmer, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2011 · N949AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and weather conditions conducive to downdrafts.
- [NTSB WPR11FA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA302.md): Schleicher ASW-20 · Lone Pine, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2011 · N838KS · Substantial damage
  > The glider encountered a strong downward orographic wind flow and turbulence that forced it into terrain. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to operate the glider very close to the terrain.
- [NTSB ERA11CA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA367.md): Mcdonnell Douglas MD88 · Miami, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 22, 2011 · N884DA · No damage
  > The in-flight encounter with convective turbulence, resulting in an injury to a cabin attendant.
- [NTSB ERA11LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA344.md): Beech A100 · Gray, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2011 · N15L · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with convectively-induced turbulence and icing, which resulted in an in-flight upset and a loss of airplane control.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?page=8

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '360' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence?page=7

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