# NTSB DCA16CA041: Embraer ERJ 170 100 SE, N643RW, Raleigh, NC, January 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 3, 2016, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Raleigh, NC - Coordinates: 35.877498, -78.787498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8775&lon=-78.7875&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, 71 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 24, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 92535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92535/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92535 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA041 ## Probable cause an encounter with turbulence resulting in a serious injury to a flight attendant. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence: convective turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 145 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/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: [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to crew statements, the flight crew briefed the flight attendants (FA) that turbulence was forecast for the flight and that they would keep them updated throughout. During the first portion of the flight, the flight encountered light turbulence and occasional moderate turbulence several times and the flight crew made public address (PA) announcements each time. Later, the flight encountered unexpected turbulence and the flight crew immediately turned on the fasten seatbelt sign and made a PA announcement. During that time, a FA was stowing a beverage cart in the aft galley, and the turbulence caused the cart to bump the FAs hand. The FA continued to perform her duties and the flight landed uneventfully. The next day, the FAs hand was painful and swollen and she was diagnosed with a broken wrist. ## Factual narrative According to crew statements, the flight crew briefed the flight attendants (FA) that turbulence was forecast for the flight and that they would keep them updated throughout. During the first portion of the flight, the flight encountered light turbulence and occasional moderate turbulence several times and the flight crew made public address (PA) announcements each time. Later, the flight encountered unexpected turbulence and the flight crew immediately turned on the fasten seatbelt sign and made a PA announcement. During that time, a FA was stowing a beverage cart in the aft galley, and the turbulence caused the cart to bump the FAs hand. The FA continued to perform her duties and the flight landed uneventfully. The next day, the FAs hand was painful and swollen and she was diagnosed with a broken wrist. ## Aircraft - Registration: N643RW (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: EMBRAER ERJ 170 100 SE (100SE) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17000060 - Year built: 2005 - Engines: GE CF34 turbo fan; GE CF34 turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Shuttle America Corp - Registered owner: Shuttle America Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: KPBI, Palm Beach, FL - Destination: KEWR, Newark, NJ - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 24, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 8,534 total, 6,239 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 35; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2015; seat: right; flight hours: 8,300 total, 1,300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KRDU, 40 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 20160103000309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160103000309A), Jan 3, 2016: Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE, Morrisville, NC, No damage. On January 3, 2016, shuttle america corporation (UHLA640I), operated an Embraer ERJ-170-100SE, N643RW, under 14 CFR part 121, as flight 3448, between palm… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92535. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Crew Statements (item 2, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crew%20Statements-Master.PDF 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.