# NTSB DCA23LA093: Boeing 767-322, N649UA, Newark, NJ, December 8, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 8, 2022, 12:11 local (17:11 UTC) - Place: Newark, NJ - Coordinates: 40.700601, -74.162973 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7006&lon=-74.1630&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, 3 minor, 175 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - Parties: FAA / Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 106439 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA23LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106439/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106439 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA093 ## Probable cause An inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence during descent. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Knowledge: knowledge of meteorologic cond](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Flight crew; cases with it: [Boeing 767-322, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md?model=1385200), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md) - [Turbulence: clear air turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing 767-322, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md?model=1385200), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md) - [Turbulence: clear air turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Boeing 767-322, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md?model=1385200), [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 767-322, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=1385200), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis United Airlines flight 963 encountered convective turbulence while descending into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, New Jersey. As a result of the turbulence, one flight attendant (FA) sustained serious injuries and three sustained minor injuries. The aircraft continued to its destination without further incident. The flight originated at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Berlin, Germany. The flight crew reported that before initiating the descent, they briefed threats to the approach and arrival phase of the flight and noted pilot reports (PIREPs) in the area of light to moderate turbulence, including a turbulence report from a previous aircraft that had reported turbulence during the descent. The flight crew stated that the Purser was advised to expect turbulence during the descent, and they recommended that the cabin crew complete their duties sooner than normal. The seatbelt sign was illuminated for the descent. A significant meteorological information (SIGMET) for moderate turbulence was in effect between 20,000 and 30,000 ft altitude valid from 1200 -1600 local time across the area of the flight’s descent. A previous SIGMET had been in effect from 0900 – 1200 local time for the same altitude range. Additionally, there were numerous PIREPs of light and moderate turbulence between 21,000 and 29,000 ft across much of New York state into northern New Jersey in the hour before the accident. The flight crew stated that while level at 23,000 feet altitude and just past the Albany very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR), they received clearance to descend to 16,000 ft altitude. They were clear of clouds in smooth air above a much lower broken layer of clouds. At 22,500 ft altitude, the airplane began an uncommanded roll to the right of about 45°, followed by an uncommanded roll to the left of about 45°. The pilot flying stated he corrected for the roll with aileron control and reduced thrust to slow the airplane below turbulence penetration speed. The Relief Officer made a “flight attendants take your jump seats” announcement, followed immediately by “flight attendants be seated immediately” announcement. The flight continued the descent in light to moderate turbulence for about a minute. After the event the Relief Officer asked the FAs to check in, the Purser reported that there were FAs with injuries in the aft galley in need of medical assistance. No passengers were injured. The flight crew contacted Newark operations via VHF to ensure that they were aware of the situation and to request that paramedics meet the airplane upon arrival. The flight landed at EWR uneventfully and an injured FA was transported to a local hospital and was diagnosed with a broken clavicle and punctured lung. . ## Aircraft - Registration: [N649UA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N649UA), registered now, S/N 25286, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 767-322 - Registry model: [Boeing 767-322](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-767-322) (registry code 1385200) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW4060](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw4060) (registry code 52140, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25286 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 121084 - Engines: P & W PW4060 60000 lbs thrust turbo fan; P & W PW4060 60000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: United Airlines Inc - Registered owner: United Airlines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 3, 2022 - Departed: EDDB, Berlin, OF - Destination: KEWR, Newark, NJ - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 30,000 total, 21,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 50; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 17, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 11,206 total, 342 in this make and model, 5,873 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: 26,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg ## Other investigations on N649UA (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA94LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA010), Oct 22, 1993: Boeing 767-300 (N649UA), Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), no damage. Probable cause: Encounter with unforecasted weather (moderate turblence) resulting in injury to three passengers. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 17, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106439. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot's statement - captain (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16777669&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Merrick%20NTSB%20Report%20UAL%20963-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement - first officer (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16778205&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mendez%20NTSB%20Report%20UAL963-Rel.pdf - Flight attendants' statements (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16778760&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flight%20Attendant%20Statements%20UAL%20963%20BER%20EWR%20Decembe%208%202022%20Serious%20Injury%20Due%20to%20Turbulence-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement - relief officer (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16778343&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Eck%20NTSB%20Report%20UAL%20963-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 5, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16778828&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flight%20963%20Turbulence_Redacted-Rel.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.