# NTSB DCA25LA102: Boeing 787, Ojai, CA, January 8, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 8, 2025, 01:40 UTC
- Place: Ojai, CA · 100 mi NW LAX, 14000 feet
- Coordinates: 34.5478, -119.1889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5478&lon=-119.1889&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Parties: All Nippon Airways, FAA AVP-110, JTSB
- NTSB case key (mKey): 199608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA25LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA102

## Probable cause

An encounter with turbulence during descent, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md)
- [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)

## Analysis

All Nippon Airways flight NH106, encountered severe turbulence during descent through FL140 (14,000 feet) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As a result, multiple flight attendants (FAs) sustained minor injuries, and one FA sustained a serious injury. Prior to initiating descent, the flight crew obtained the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) for LAX, which did not include any turbulence advisories. Approximately 20 minutes before landing, air traffic control (ATC) advised the crew of light to moderate turbulence in the area. The pilot monitoring considered querying ATC for altitude-specific turbulence information, but the captain instructed the crew to illuminate the seat belt sign and have the FAs prepare the cabin for landing. While descending from FL200 to FL170, the aircraft encountered light turbulence. At approximately FL140, about 15 minutes before landing, the flight encountered two brief turbulence events, which the captain described as “moderate” and “moderate plus.” Following these encounters, the pilot monitoring recommended that FAs be seated, and the captain agreed. After the public announcement was made the flight crew was informed that multiple FAs had sustained injuries. During the initial turbulence encounter, the L3 FA was holding the lavatory handle for support. After the turbulence subsided, she proceeded to her assigned seat and began fastening her seat belt when the second turbulence encounter occurred. She was subsequently thrown into the air and landed on the cabin floor, impacting her buttocks. Upon returning to Japan, she was diagnosed with a serious injury. Figure 1. Location of cabin attendant that sustained a serious injury. At the time of the turbulence encounter, no convective Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMETs) were active. However, other advisories—including SIGMETs, Airmen’s Meteorological Information (AIRMETs), and Pilot Reports (PIREPs)—indicated moderate to severe turbulence in the vicinity of the flight path.

## Aircraft

- Registration: JA892A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 787 (9)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34513
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 33225.9
- Engines: Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-K2 78129 lbs thrust turbo fan; Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-K2 78129 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 129
- Operator: All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd
- Registered owner: ANA Holdings Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Condition, December 19, 2024
- Departed: HND, Tokyo, OF
- Destination: LAX, Los Angeles, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, private, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 18,794 total, 6,348 in this make and model, 11,270 as pilot in command
- Co-pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 18,724 total, 4,958 in this make and model, 9,536 as pilot in command
- Other flight crew; airline transport, private, commercial; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg

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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