# NTSB BFO86LA030: Short Brothers SD3-30, N331SB, Hopewell, VA, May 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1986, 19:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Hopewell, VA
- Location: 37.2910° N, 77.2989° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hopewell, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2910&lon=-77.2989&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11248
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11248/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86LA030

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - loose (cause)

## Analysis

THE CAPTAIN REPORTED THAT MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED WHILE PASSING THROUGH SOME CLOUDS. HE CALLED THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT ON THE INTERCOM AND TOLD HER TO SIT DOWN; WHILE SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO ANSWER THE INTERCOM, AN OBJECT FROM THE GALLEY AREA FELL ON HER FOOT AND BROKE IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N331SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N331SB-2016-04-25), registration cancelled 2016-04-25, S/N SH3015, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Short Brothers SD3-30
- Registry model: [Short Bros. & Harland SD3-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/short-bros-harland-sd3-30) (registry code 8100602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-45r) (registry code 52271, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: SH3015
- Airframe hours: 13921
- Engines: P&W PT 6A-45 1000 lbs thrust turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Colgan Airways Corp, doing business as New York Air Connection
- Registered owner: Short Aircraft USA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 11, 1986, 0 hours before
- Departed: ORF, NORFOLK, VA
- Destination: IAD, DULLES, VA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; 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: 7,200 total, 750 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860521050939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860521050939A), May 21, 1986: Stbros SD330, Hopewell, VA. Moderate to severe turbulence in a cloud. Flight attendant injured.

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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