# NTSB DCA16CA010: Boeing 737-924ER, N69838, Plevna, KS, October 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2015, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC) - Place: Plevna, KS - Coordinates: 38.008609, -98.385559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0086&lon=-98.3856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 183 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 24, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 92227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92227/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92227 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA010 ## Probable cause An inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence resulting in a serious injury to a flight attendant. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence: clear air turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing 737-924ER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md?model=13848A3), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 737-924ER, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=13848A3), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to flight crew statements, possible moderate turbulence was forecasted for portions of the route of flight and they briefed the flight attendants (FA) of the possible turbulence. During the first portion of the flight, several areas of turbulence were encountered. The seatbelt sign was turned on during this time and the captain told the FAs to suspend service and remain seated. The flight crew requested and was cleared to a lower altitude and the turbulence subsided. After the flight was in smooth air for several minutes, the captain advised the FAs they could leave their seats but not use the carts. About five minutes later the flight again encountered moderate to severe turbulence. The captain called the cabin and discovered two FAs in the aft galley had sustained injuries during the encounter but could continue their duties to the destination. After arrival, the FAs were transported to the hospital where one was diagnosed with a tibia plateau fracture. ## Factual narrative According to flight crew statements, possible moderate turbulence was forecasted for portions of the route of flight and they briefed the flight attendants (FA) of the possible turbulence. During the first portion of the flight, several areas of turbulence were encountered. The seatbelt sign was turned on during this time and the captain told the FAs to suspend service and remain seated. The flight crew requested and was cleared to a lower altitude and the turbulence subsided. After the flight was in smooth air for several minutes, the captain advised the FAs they could leave their seats but not use the carts. About five minutes later the flight again encountered moderate to severe turbulence. The captain called the cabin and discovered two FAs in the aft galley had sustained injuries during the encounter but could continue their duties to the destination. After arrival, the FAs were transported to the hospital where one was diagnosed with a tibia plateau fracture. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69838](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N69838), registered now, S/N 60121, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 737-924ER (924) - Registry model: [Boeing 737-924ER](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-924er) (registry code 13848A3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B27E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b27e-series) (registry code 13078, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 60121 - Year built: 2014 - Engines: CFM INTL CFM56-7B27E turbo fan; CFM INTL CFM56-7B27E turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: United Air Lines Inc - Registered owner: United Air Lines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: DEN, Denver, CO - Destination: MCO, Orlando, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 14, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 21,000 total, 13,500 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 34; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2015; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 6,020 total, 1,214 in this make and model, 1,023 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Turbulence: Severe - Observed at: KHUT, 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 20151024023799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151024023799A), Oct 24, 2015: Boeing 737-924ER, Plevna, KS, No damage. Flight was at FL330 when it encountered moderate turbulence. The 2 fight attendants in the aft galley were thrown into the air and hit the floor. The food cart… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92227. 14.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Flight Crew Statement (item 2, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Crew%20Statement-Master.PDF - Flight Attendant Statements (item 3, .PDF, 829 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Attendant%20Statements-Master.PDF - Dispatcher's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Dispatcher%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Study - Excerpt from Weather Study for UAL Flight 1904 (item 5, .PDF, 452 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Study%20-%20Excerpt%20from%20Weather%20Study%20for%20UAL%20Flight%201904-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Quick Access Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report (item 7, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Quick%20Access%20Recorder%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Quick Access Recorder - Attachment 1 (item 8, .CSV, 11.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443741&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Quick%20Access%20Recorder%20-%20Attachment%201-Master.csv 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.