# NTSB CHI85FA174: Boeing 727-223, N856AA, Little Rock, AR, April 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1985, 15:23 local (21:23 UTC)
- Place: Little Rock, AR
- Coordinates: 34.750236, -92.279296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7502&lon=-92.2793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12830/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA174

## 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(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARALLELING A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS AND NEEDED TO GET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINE TO GET TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CENTER CONTROLLER SUGGESTED THAT HE REVERSE COURSE TO FLY AROUND THE CLOSER END OF THE LINE BUT THE PILOT DECIDED TO PENETRATE THE LINE INSTEAD. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS BETWEEN TWO THUNDERSTORM CELLS AT LEAST 45 NM APART WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN INTO SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE AIRCRAFT LOST 500 FT OF ALTITUDE AND TWO FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WERE INJURED. THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO SIT DOWN EARLIER BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO STRAP IN. A PASSENGER ON HIS WAY TO THE LAVATORY REFUSED TO SIT DOWN WHEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND WAS INJURED ALSO DURING THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N856AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N856AA-2017-06-22), registration cancelled 2017-06-22, S/N 20997, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-223
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-223](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-223) (registry code 1384074) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20997
- Engines: P&W JT8-D 14500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: Connecticut National Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: IAH, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 20 nm away

## 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 19850423019949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850423019949I), Apr 23, 1985: Boeing 727223, Little Rock, AR. Flight attendants were stowing galley cart when turbulence threw them to ceiling.

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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