# NTSB CHI91LA115: Boeing 727-222, N7449U, Buffalo, NY, March 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1991, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, NY
- Coordinates: 42.930675, -78.750335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9307&lon=-78.7503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 39 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15029
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15029/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA115

## Probable cause

A CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, cruise
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT FL 310 WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE.  A FLIGHT ATTENDANT IN THE AFT GALLEY WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. TWO FLIGHT ATTENDANTS IN THE CABIN, AND A PASSENGER WHO WAS IN THE LAVATORY RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  THE WEATHER BRIEFING CONTAINED A FORECAST FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF TURBULENCE.  THE FLIGHT WAS DIVERTED TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE INJURED PERSONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7449U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7449U-2009-09-15), registration cancelled 2009-09-15, S/N 21903, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-222
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-222](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-222) (registry code 1384073) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21903
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15 15500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MHT, MANCHESTER, NH
- Destination: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 16,033 total, 10,200 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUF, 30 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 19910323009299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910323009299A), Mar 23, 1991: Boeing 727222, Buffalo, NY. Encountered severe clear air turbulence. Seat belt sign not on. Three attendants and one passenger 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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