# NTSB ANC87FA021: Boeing 727-222, N7635U, Anchorage, AK, December 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1986, 20:51 local (Dec 16, 1986, 00:51 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160625, -149.990966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1606&lon=-149.9910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 7 minor, 93 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA021

## Analysis

ABOUT 10 MIN BEFORE ARRIVAL, THE ACFT SUDDENLY ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE WHICH ONE OCCUPANT DESCRIBED AS A SINGLE TREMENDOUS JOLT. THE MISHAP OCCURRED WHILE THE ACFT WAS APRX 39 MILES EAST OF ANCHORAGE INTL ARPT AND WAS DESCENDING THRU 10,000 FT. THE SEAT BELT SIGN WAS ON & THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS (F/A'S) WERE PREPARING THE CABIN FOR LANDING. ONE PASSENGER & ONE F/A WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED; THE OTHER THREE F/A'S & THREE OF THE PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A SIGMET WHICH WARNED OF POSSIBLE TURBULENCE IN THE AREA.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7635U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7635U-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 19908, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-222
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-222](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-222) (registry code 1384073) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19908
- Airframe hours: 42850
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 10, 1986
- Departed: SEA, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ANC, Anchorage Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,824 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19861215068559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861215068559A), Dec 15, 1986: Boeing 727222, Anchorage, AK. Encountered moderate to severe turbulence during initial approach. Passenger and flight attendant injuries.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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