# NTSB DCA23LA382: Boeing 737-924ER, N77431, Myrtle Beach (Atlantic Ocean), July 28, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 28, 2023, 08:16 local (12:16 UTC) - Place: Myrtle Beach (Atlantic Ocean) - Coordinates: 34.516667, -74.085278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5167&lon=-74.0853&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, 184 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 192742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA23LA382 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192742/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192742 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA382 ## Probable cause An encounter with convectively induced turbulence (CIT) while in cruise flight. ## 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: [Boeing 737-924ER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=13848A3), [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; cases with it: [Boeing 737-924ER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=13848A3), [All aircraft, 145 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of meteorologic cond](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Flight crew; cases with it: [Boeing 737-924ER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md?model=13848A3), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/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 United Airlines flight 2122 encountered severe turbulence while in cruise flight at flight level (FL) 330 enroute to Punta Cana Airport (PUJ), Dominican Republic, and a flight attendant (FA) sustained serious injuries. The flight crew reported that after reaching a cruise altitude of FL330 and before entering oceanic airspace they downloaded the latest Weather Services International (WSI) radar image, lightning data, and SkyPath ride reports. The airborne radar was in use which depicted some very small, scattered cells well below their altitude. Shortly thereafter, the captain visually acquired a cloud buildup immediately ahead and below their altitude. With no visual indication of the cloud on the weather radar they made a right turn to avoid any potential turbulence. While in the right turn, the airplane entered visual meteorological conditions and the captain visually acquired another cloud buildup directly ahead. To avoid the buildup the captain continued the right turn to no avail. The airplane entered the clouds and immediately encountered severe turbulence for about 5 seconds. A public address (PA) announcement was immediately made “be seated immediately, be seated immediately”. Following the turbulence encountered the flight crew was notified that two aft FAs had been injured. Just before the turbulence event, the number 2L and 2R FAs had moved the beverage cart to the aft galley, so the 2R FA could use the lavatory. After entering the lavatory, she was thrown into the air and landed on her left ankle and knee. The 2L FA stated that as soon as the 2R FA entered the lavatory, they encountered severe turbulence. She and the beverage cart were tossed into the air, and she impacted the floor of the airplane on her left side. She stated that the impact was like “slamming down from a 5th floor building”. Upon being notified of the injuries, the flight crew declared an emergency and diverted to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for medical assistance. The two injured FAs were transported to local hospitals where one was diagnosed with serious injuries. At the time of the turbulence encounter there were no active significant meteorological information (SIGMETs), convective SIGMETs, airman’s meteorological information (AIRMETs), or pilot reports (PIREPs) of any significant turbulence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77431](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77431), registered now, S/N 32833, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 737-924ER - Registry model: [Boeing 737-924ER](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-924er) (registry code 13848A3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B26/3 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b26-3-series) (registry code 13073, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32833 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 43798 - Engines: CFM INTL CFM56-7B26/3 27300 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM INTL CFM56-7B26/3 27300 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, August 5, 2022 - Departed: EWR, Newark, NJ - Destination: PUJ, Punta Cana, OF - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 17, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,900 total, 6,850 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 35; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 29, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,223 total, 280 in this make and model, 1,298 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 99 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Turbulence: Severe - Observed at: KMYR - METAR: KMYR 281256Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 29/26 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP216 T02940256 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192742. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16190953&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20DCA23LA382_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight crew statements (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16190556&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flight%20Crew%20Statements-Rel.pdf - Flight attendant statements (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16198517&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA23LA382%20Flight%20Attendant%20Statements-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.