# NTSB ATL86LA016: Boeing 737, N787N, Charleston, WV, November 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1985, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, WV
- Coordinates: 38.350177, -81.630958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3502&lon=-81.6310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 58 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7029
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7029/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - hazardous weather advisory - not issued, nws personnel (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED WASHINGTON AT ABOUT 1040 EN ROUTE TO CHARLESTON, WV UNDER INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES. THE FLIGHT PROCEEDED WITHOUT INCIDENT, WITH OCCASIONAL LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE DURING THE CLIMB. AS THE FLIGHT CLIMBED THROUGH 26,000 FEET THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE SHORT JOLT TOSSED A FLIGHT ATTENDANT TO THE FLOOR, BREAKING HER RIGHT ANKLE. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND PASSENGERS WERE BRIEFED CONCERNING THE LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE. THE FASTEN SEATBELT SIGN WAS ON. SEVERE TURBULENCE WAS NOT FORECASTED. THE WEATHER STUDY DISCLOSED THAT SEVERE TURBULENCE WAS PROBABLE AT THE FLIGHT'S ALTITUDE AND TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N787N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4444-
- Airframe hours: 12433
- Engines: P&W JT-8-9 4500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Piedmont Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 29, 1985, 33 hours before
- Departed: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Destination: CHARLESTON, WV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,200 total, 1,172 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19851103057229I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851103057229I), Nov 3, 1985: Boeing 737201, Charleston, WV. Flight attendant suffered a broken ankle while performing her duties. Moderate turbulence above cloud deck.

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

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