# NTSB IAD96LA058: Boeing 757-200, N653A, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), April 8, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1996, 20:00 local (Apr 8, 1996, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 193 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA058

## Probable cause

the in-flight encounter with unforecast, unexpected 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 (cause)

## Analysis

The pilots reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 31,000 feet msl, when it encountered an area of unexpected severe turbulence.  They indicated that the flight had been uneventful and smooth prior to the brief turbulence encounter.  During the turbulence encounter, one of the aisle carts became airborne and struck a flight attendant's leg when it landed.   There was no forecast for turbulence along the airplane's planned route of flight.

## Factual narrative

On April 7, 1996 at about 2000 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 757-223, N653A, operated by American Airlines as Flight 935, encountered severe turbulence while in cruise flight at 31,000 feet mean sea level (msl,) approximately 300 miles west southwest of Bermuda.  The airplane sustained no damage, and the two pilots, four flight attendants and 187 passengers reported no injuries.  One flight attendant received a serious injury.  The airplane diverted to Bermuda and landed without further incident.  The international passenger flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 121, and operated on an IFR flight plan.  The flight originated from John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York, New York, at 1903, with an intended destination of Caracas, Venezuela.

The pilots reported that the flight had been uneventful and smooth, until the unexpected encounter with severe turbulence.  Company personnel indicated that during the brief encounter with turbulence, one of the aisle carts became airborne and struck a flight attendant's leg when it came back down to the floor.  The flight attendant received a leg fracture.  There were no other reported injuries.  There was no forecast for turbulence for the planned route of flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N653A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N653A-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 24611, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 757-200
- Registry model: [Boeing 757-223](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-223) (registry code 1384957) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce RB-211 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-rb-211-series) (registry code 54555, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24611
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4B 43100 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: American Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: JFK, NEW YORK, NY
- Destination: CCS, CARACAS, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; 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: 5,243 total, 2,726 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark

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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