# NTSB DCA16CA077: Boeing 737 7H4, N718SW, Titusville, FL, January 28, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 28, 2016, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Titusville, FL - Location: 28.5729° N, 80.8204° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Titusville, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB coordinates: 28.5, -79.5 (estimated), outside the stated state - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5729&lon=-80.8204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 143 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 92654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92654/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92654 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA077 ## Probable cause an inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence. ## 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 737-7H4, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md?model=1384404), [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-descent: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 737-7H4, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=1384404), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis On January 15, 2016 at 6:15 pm eastern standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 1528, a Boeing 737-700, N718SW, encountered turbulence in the vicinity of Titusville, Florida during initial descent to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Florida . Of the 144 passengers and crew members onboard, one flight attendant was seriously injured and the airplane was not damaged. The airplane was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from T. F. Green Airport (PVD), Providence, Rhode Island. According to the operator, the flights routing passed east of Jacksonville, Florida over the Atlantic to the east of the Florida peninsula. A frontal system and jet stream stretched to the west and northwest of the flight's routing with turbulence forecast and reported on the western portions of the peninsula. The flight crew reported that they were in cruise at FL380 in smooth air but were aware of potential turbulence throughout the flight. Upon initial descent, the captain illuminated the fasten seat belt sign and advised the passengers to remain seated. While descending through approximately FL320, the airplane encountered turbulence in clear air lasting approximately 3 seconds. At the time of the turbulence encounter, two flight attendants (FA) were securing the aft galley for landing when one fell to the floor injuring her ankle. Medically trained passengers assisted the injured FA who could not complete her duties. The flight crew advised the FLL station of the event and requested medical assistance upon landing. The airplane landed at FLL with no further incident. The flight attendant was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a broken ankle. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N718SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N718SW-2024-10-15), registration cancelled 2024-10-15, S/N 27852, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 737 7H4 (7H4) - Registry model: [Boeing 737-7H4](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-7h4) (registry code 1384404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27852 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES turbo fan; CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Southwest Airlines Co - Registered owner: Southwest Airlines Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: KPVD, Providence, RI - Destination: KFLL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 18,300 total, 14,500 in this make and model, 13,300 as pilot in command, 281 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 37; injuries: none; military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 5,511 total, 1,677 in this make and model, 1,975 as pilot in command, 224 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Turbulence: Unknown ## 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 20160128004899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160128004899A), Jan 28, 2016: Boeing 737-7H4, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, No damage. Approximately 35 minutes from fll, descending from FL380 to FL360,the flight experienced unexpected turbulence. The "b" flight attendant was in the aft galley… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92654. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - SWA Weather Information and Summary (item 2, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=SWA%20Weather%20Information%20and%20Summary-Master.PDF - Crew Statements (item 3, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445901&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.