# NTSB CHI87FA106: Airbus Industrie A300B4-203, N230EA, Indianapolis, IN, March 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1987, 23:00 local (Mar 30, 1987, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.729938, -86.290664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7299&lon=-86.2907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 246 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA106

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - seat belt sign - selected
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - conflicting (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT NGT IN CLR AIR (WELL ABV CLDS), EASTERN AI LINES FLT 477 WAS IN LIGHT CHOP AT FL 310 WITH THE SEAT BELT SIGN ON. THE CAPTAIN STATED THAT WHEN THE TURBULENCE INCREASED TO A MODERATE COND, HE MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE FLT ATTENDANTS (F/A'S) TO STOP SERVING & TAKE THEIR SEATS. THE F/A'S WERE STOWING EQUIPMENT, WHEN THE ACFT ENCTRD TURBULENCE. ONE F/A WAS INJURED & SUBSEQUENTLY HOSPITALIZED IN EXCESS OF 10 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N230EA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Airbus Industrie A300B4-203
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 216
- Airframe hours: 9875
- Engines: GE CF6-50C2 52500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Eastern Air Lines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 8, 1986
- Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,291 total, 1,234 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 75 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 25 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).

- [Accident 19870329010469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870329010469A), Mar 29, 1987: Airbus A300B4203, Indianapolis, IN. In clear above thunderstrom tops hit severe turbulence injuring flight attendant.

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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