# NTSB DEN86FA125: Boeing 737-200, N28SW, Almosa, CO, May 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1986, 18:07 local (May 5, 1986, 00:07 UTC)
- Place: Almosa, CO
- Coordinates: 37.459857, -105.869132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4599&lon=-105.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 50 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA125

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - mountain wave (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - seat belt sign - selected, pilot in command
  - seat belt - delayed, flight attendant (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - not issued, nws personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A SOUTHWEST AIRLINE COMPANY BOEING 737, FLT NO. 558 EN ROUTE FROM DENVER, COLORADO, TO ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, AT FL 350, ENCOUNTERED SEVERE CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE. THE UNEXPECTED WX PHENOMENA CAUSED THE ACFT TO 'DROP' SUDDENLY RESULTING IN TWO FLT ATTENDANTS BEING INJURED. AFTER THE ACFT WAS AGAIN BROUGHT BACK TO LEVEL FLT THE REST OF THE FLT WAS UNEVENTFUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N28SW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22730
- Engines: P&W JT8-9 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Southwest Airlines Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,050 total, 4,950 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALS

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19860504038099I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860504038099I), May 4, 1986: Boeing 7372H4, Alamosa, CO. Encountered severe clear air turbulence with injury to 2 flight attendants.

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.