# NTSB DCA23LA107: Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-X (G450), N456FX, Miami, FL, December 24, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 24, 2022
- Place: Miami, FL
- Location: 25.7743° N, 80.1937° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miami, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 24.28, -74.38, outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7743&lon=-80.1937&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, 12 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA23LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106510/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106510
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA107

## Probable cause

An unanticipated encounter with convective induced turbulence from developing cumulus clouds below the flight path, which produced strong updrafts and downdrafts.

## 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 operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-X (G450), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=3980205), [All aircraft, 145 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md)
- [Turbulence: convective turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-X (G450), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=3980205), [All aircraft, 145 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md)
- [Turbulence: convective turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-X (G450), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=3980205), [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: [Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-X (G450), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=3980205), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)

## Analysis

A Gulfstream 450 airplane encountered turbulence while in level cruise flight at 36,000 ft. and a cabin server (CS) fractured her arm and leg. The flight crew reported that after departure, while climbing through 20,000 ft, they encountered unexpected light turbulence, and the seatbelt sign was illuminated. About 30 minutes into the flight at a cruising altitude of 36,000 ft (FL360) in visual meteorological conditions with the autopilot engaged, the copilot noticed a cloud top “rising up” from under the nose of the airplane. The airplane “pitched up and down rapidly with a hard jolt;” however, the autopilot did not disengage, and the airplane returned to normal flight. A passenger notified the flight crew of injuries to the CS. At the time of the turbulence event, the CS was in the aft galley taking catering notes, when she felt a rising sensation. She attempted to get low to the floor in case turbulence was encountered. While looking over her shoulder to check on the passenger cabin, she was thrown into the air and “hurled” to the floor impacting on her left shoulder, arm, and hip. Upon being notified of the injury, the flight crew declared an emergency and diverted to Miami for medical assistance. The injured CS was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured left arm and multiple fractures to her left leg. At the time of the turbulence encounter there were no active convective significant meteorological information (SIGMETs), international SIGMETs, center weather advisories (CWAs) or pilot reports (PIREPs) for the area where the turbulence occurred.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N456FX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N456FX), registered now, S/N 4132, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE GIV-X (G450)
- Registry model: [Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-X (G450)](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-aerospace-giv-x-g450) (registry code 3980205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce TAY-611-8C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-tay-611-8c) (registry code 54073, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4132
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 9568.9
- Engines: ROLLS-ROYC TAY 611-8C 13850 lbs thrust turbo fan; ROLLS-ROYC TAY 611-8C 13850 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Flexjet LLC
- Registered owner: Flexjet LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Condition, October 10, 2022
- Departed: Providenciales, OF
- Destination: March Harbour, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Heads up display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Check pilot; age 58; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, waiver time limited special; last flight review November 12, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 16,450 total, 2,150 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 133 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 7, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,665 total, 83 in this make and model, 1,975 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20221224020209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221224020209A), Dec 24, 2022: Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-X (G450), Miami, FL, No damage. Flight encountered turbulence at 36000 feet while in cruise flight. The autopilot was on, the aircraft pitched up and down with a hard jolt. Cabin server fell…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106510. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14955484&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20dms_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15134852&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2023-02-03%20Crewmember%20Reports%20(deidentified)-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.

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