# NTSB DCA25LA044: Boeing 787-9, N833AA, Tokyo, Japan, November 15, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 15, 2024, 09:45 local (09:45 UTC)
- Place: Tokyo, Japan
- Coordinates: 36, 146
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0000&lon=146.0000&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, 291 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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA25LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA044

## Probable cause

An encounter with turbulence while in cruise flight, resulting in serious injuries to two flight attendants.

## 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 787-9, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=1385609), [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: [Boeing 787-9, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=1385609), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)

## Analysis

American Airlines flight 168, encountered unanticipated moderate to severe turbulence during cruise at 34,000 feet (FL340) while enroute to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York, New York from Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND), Tokyo, Japan. As a result, two flight attendants (FAs) sustained serious injuries. Before departing, the flight crew stated they all reviewed the weather forecast on their weather briefing app before departure and noted no significant turbulence or convective activity. The flight departed HND in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) and climbed on the assigned standard instrument departure procedure and leveled off at FL340 in VMC above an overcast layer. The flight crew stated the flight was smooth during the climb out, with occasional “very light” turbulence. During cruise, the captain and the first officer recalled monitoring the weather radar and did not detect any convective activity in the area. Approximately 30-40 minutes after departure, the overcast area rose into the airplane’s altitude. At that time, the FAs were moving around the galley and cabin for service. The captain made an announcement for the FAs to be seated, but the airplane encountered moderate to severe turbulence. After the turbulence subsided, the captain was informed that two FAs had been injured and were unable to continue their duties. Neither requested immediate medical attention. The flight continued uneventfully to JFK, where the injured FAs were met by company personnel and later sought medical evaluation. One FA was diagnosed with a fractured tibia, and another with a fractured ankle. Two additional FAs later reported minor injuries. No passengers were injured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N833AA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N833AA), registered now, S/N 40645, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 787-9
- Registry model: [Boeing 787-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-787-9) (registry code 1385609) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE GENX-1B74/75/ series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-genx-1b74-75-series) (registry code 30222, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 40645
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 27771
- Engines: GE GENX-1B74/75/ 76700 lbs thrust turbo fan; GE GENX-1B74/75/ 76700 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines Inc
- Registered owner: American Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 13, 2024
- Departed: HND, Tokyo, OF
- Destination: JFK, New York, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Equipment: Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 30, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 21,000 total, 2,400 in this make and model
- Co-pilot; age 53; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 16, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 13,500 total, 2,600 in this make and model
- Other flight crew; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 17,000 total
- Other flight crew; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; seat: rear; flight hours: 18,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported
- Icing: Unknown
- Turbulence: Moderate

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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