# NTSB ERA12CA044: Boeing 767-2B7, N253AY, New York, NY, October 20, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 19, 2011, 20:48 local (Oct 20, 2011, 00:48 UTC)
- Place: New York, NY
- Coordinates: 40.63972, -73.778892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6397&lon=-73.7789&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 215 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82120/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82120
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA044

## Probable cause

The passenger's lack of compliance with the illuminated seatbelt sign, which resulted in her injury during a turbulence encounter.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing 767-2B7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=1385107), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md)
- [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Boeing 767-2B7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=1385107), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 767-2B7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=1385107), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Boeing 767-2B7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=1385107), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the flight crew and a flight attendant, about 15 minutes after departure, the airplane was climbing through flight level 220. Although the captain had allowed the use of approved portable electronic devices (PED) as the airplane climbed above 10,000 feet, the fasten seatbelt sign remained illuminated. When the PED allowance was announced, a couple of passengers began to move about the cabin, including one that went to the lavatory. As the passenger was exiting the lavatory and returning to her seat, the airplane encountered unforecast moderate turbulence. The passenger fell down in the aisle and suffered a fractured ankle.

## Factual narrative

According to the flight crew and a flight attendant, about 15 minutes after departure, the airplane was climbing through flight level 220. Although the captain allowed the use of approved portable electronic devices (PED) as the airplane climbed above 10,000 feet, the fasten seatbelt sign had remained illuminated for the climb. When the PED use was allowed, a couple of passengers began to move about the cabin, including one that went to the lavatory. As the passenger was exiting the lavatory and returning to her seat, the airplane encountered unforecast moderate turbulence. The passenger subsequently fell down in the aisle and suffered a fractured ankle. The flight returned to the departure airport.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N253AY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N253AY-2014-10-20), registration cancelled 2014-10-20, S/N 24894, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 767-2B7
- Registry model: [Boeing 767-2B7](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-767-2b7) (registry code 1385107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE CF6-80 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf6-80-series) (registry code 30025, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24894
- Engines: GE CF6-80C2B2 51000 lbs thrust turbo jet; GE CF6-80C2B2 51000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: US Airways Inc
- Registered owner: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Na Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: KPHL, Philadelphia, PA
- Destination: EDDF, Frankfurt
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Check pilot; age 51; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 8, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 14,301 total, 1,917 in this make and model, 6,200 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 24,130 total, 1,142 in this make and model, 11,712 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night
- Wind: 70° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.48 inHg
- Observed at: KJFK

## 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 20111019027969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111019027969A), Oct 19, 2011: Boeing 767-2B7, Philadelphia, PA, No damage. While climbing out from phl international airport the aircraft encountered turbulance. A passenger was exiting the lavatory, fell and injured her ankle. It was…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82120. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.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.

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