# NTSB DCA25FA071: Boeing 737, N958AK, Henderson, NV, December 26, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report - Date: December 26, 2024, 13:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Henderson, NV · time/location per Ruth, FL 330 - Coordinates: 36.026101, -114.93117 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0261&lon=-114.9312&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: 2 serious, 1 minor, 181 uninjured - Status: Investigation ongoing - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - Parties: FAA/AVP-110, NATCA, Alaska Airlines - NTSB case key (mKey): 199474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA25FA071 - NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199474/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25FA071 ## Preliminary report On December 26, 2024, at 1335 pacific standard time, Alaska Airlines flight 700, a Boeing 737-9, N958AK, encountered severe turbulence during cruise flight, near Henderson, Nevada. Of the 181 passengers and crew, two flight attendants received serious injuries, and one received a minor injury. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 scheduled domestic passenger flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Seattle, Washington, to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, Arizona. The flight crew reported that during the first half of the flight, the turbulence they experienced was “no worse than light chop”. They were aware that worse turbulence was expected during the second half of the flight, as indicated by weather products and advisories provided in the dispatch paperwork for the flight. Additionally, they monitored a company weather app and had communication with their dispatch while enroute for any updates to weather conditions and turbulence forecasts. Before the flight, the pilots had briefed the lead flight attendant in advance about when they should perform service and prepare for landing, due to the expected turbulence. As the airplane approached the area of expected turbulence, while at flight level (FL) 330, the first officer made a public address announcement to advise the passengers that the seatbelt sign would be turned on in about 15 minutes, and the flight attendants would then also be seated. The airplane encountered light turbulence 15 minutes later, and the first officer turned on the seatbelt sign and informed the flight attendants that the turbulence was expected to worsen, and that they should prepare the cabin and take their seats. The first officer checked in with air traffic control (ATC) and reported experiencing light with occasional moderate turbulence. ATC advised that there were areas of light chop throughout the Las Vegas area, and that there were no reports of turbulence more intense than the light chop. About 15 minutes later the airplane encountered severe turbulence. Two flight attendants were seriously injured, and one non-revenue flight attendant passenger sustained a minor injury. All were located in the rear gally area when the turbulence occurred and were not restrained. The pilots declared a medical emergency and elected to continue to Phoenix, after determining that a diversion to the nearest airport would result in routing through the area of expected turbulence. The remainder of the flight was uneventful. EMS personnel met the airplane at the gate and four flight attendants were subsequently transported to the hospital. A post accident review of weather data revealed that a Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) advisory was issued at 1213 which forecasted occasional severe turbulence between FL270 and FL400 due to wind shear associated with the jetstream in an area surrounding the accident location. A pilotreport (PIREP) had previously included such conditions 5 minutes prior to the accident in the general vicinity of the turbulence encounter location. Additionally, an Airman’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET) advisory was issued for the area at 1245, which forecasted moderate turbulence between FL180 and FL400. Satellite and weather radar data for the accident area indicated there was cloud cover above the turbulence encounter locations and no precipitation echoes, respectively. Qualified parties were invited to participate in the investigation. These included Alaska Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The following NTSB specialists were assigned to investigate the accident: Air Traffic Control, Meteorology, and Operations. The investigation is continuing. ## 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 737-9, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=138470A), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N958AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N958AK), registered now, S/N 44072, built 2023 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 737 (9) - Registry model: [Boeing 737-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-9) (registry code 138470A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International LEAP-1B28B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-leap-1b28b-series) (registry code 13124, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 44072 - Year built: 2023 - Airframe hours: 7508 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Alaska Airlines Inc - Registered owner: Alaska Airlines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 15, 2024 - Departed: SEA, Seattle, WA - Destination: PHX, Phoenix, AZ - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Heads up display, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Turbulence: Severe - Observed at: KBVU, 6 nm away - METAR: METAR KBVU 262035Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/M05 A3003 RMK AO2= ## 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 20241226020879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241226020879A), Dec 26, 2024: Boeing 737-9, Coaldale, NV, No damage. On December 26, 2024, [privacy data omitted], a Boeing 737-900 max, [privacy data omitted] from seattle international airport, WA (sea), to Phoenix sky Harbor… 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.