# NTSB FTW90LA156: Boeing B-737-300, N327SW, Corpus Christi, TX, August 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1990, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Corpus Christi, TX
- Location: 27.8006° N, 97.3964° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corpus Christi, TX, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8006&lon=-97.3964&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 75 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA156

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE'S UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER WITH CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (cause)

## Analysis

THE SCHEDULED PASSENGER AIRLINE FLIGHT WAS IN CRUISE AT FL 330 WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE (CAT). A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WAS THROWN ABOUT THE CABIN AND LANDED ON HER COCCYX BONE WHICH FRACTURED REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS. THE CAPTAIN WAS DEVIATING AROUND CIRRUS AND CUMULUS CLOUDS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N327SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N327SW-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 23691, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B-737-300 (B737-300)
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-3H4](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-3h4) (registry code 138447K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23691
- Engines: GE FMC56-B1 20000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Nnb Lone Star Lease Co., Ltd
- Departed: HRL, HARLINGEN, TX
- Destination: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,459 total, 9,494 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900809066269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900809066269A), Aug 9, 1990: Boeing 737300, Corpus Christi, TX. Encountered clear air turbulence while circumnavigating thunderstorms. A flight attendant was injured. Seat sign on

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.