# NTSB LAX00LA098: Fokker FK-28-4000, N493US, Red Bluff, CA, February 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2000, 11:37 local (19:37 UTC) - Place: Red Bluff, CA - Coordinates: 40.129909, -122.429573 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1299&lon=-122.4296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 23 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48634/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA098 ## Probable cause the failure of the passenger to fasten his seat belt without the necessity of being instructed by the flight attendant. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal - seat belt sign - activated, pilot in command - crew/group briefing - performed, copilot/second pilot - passenger briefing - performed, copilot/second pilot - passenger briefing - not complied with, passenger (cause) - passenger briefing - performed, flight attendant - weather condition - turbulence,clear air ## Analysis The captain initiated descent from flight level (FL) 290 and illuminated the "fasten seatbelts" sign. Upon reaching FL 240, the air began to get "choppy." As they descended below FL 240, the flight attendants were notified to clean up and be seated. A passenger announcement was made at the same time including possible turbulence. Approximately FL 230, the flight attendants were notified to all be seated. At FL 220 they encountered severe turbulence for about 5 seconds. Two or 3 minutes later, they encountered severe turbulence again, for about 5 seconds. On the way to her seat, one of the flight attendants stopped because of a passenger who had not fastened his seat belt. While she was instructing the passenger, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence and she was thrown about the cabin. The "A" flight attendant next notified the flight crew that the "B" flight attendant had been injured. The captain told the "A" flight attendant to help put the "B" flight attendant in her seat and then to return to her own seat as soon as possible. Air traffic control was notified of the severe turbulence and that medical assistance would be needed upon their arrival. Company flight operations in Fresno was also informed of the situation. Upon arrival at the gate, all of the passengers deplaned without further incident. Paramedics boarded the aircraft and attended to the "B" flight attendant. Subsequent x-rays revealed that she had sustained a fractured ankle. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2000, at 1137 hours Pacific standard time, Horizon Air flight 2457, a Fokker FK-28-4000, N493US, encountered turbulence over Red Bluff, California, and one flight attendant sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was not damaged. There were no injuries to the airline transport pilot certificated captain, the first officer, a second flight attendant, or the 20 passengers. The aircraft was being operated as a scheduled domestic passenger flight by Horizon Air Industries, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 121 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Seattle, Washington, at 0926 on the morning of the accident as a nonstop flight to Fresno, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed. The captain stated that he had initiated descent from flight level (FL) 290 and illuminated the "fasten seatbelts" sign at about 1110. Upon reaching FL 240, the air began to get "choppy." As they descended below FL 240, the first officer notified the flight attendants to clean up and be seated. A passenger announcement was made at the same time regarding possible turbulence, destination weather, and the expected time of arrival (ETA). Approximately FL 230, they were still above the cloud layer and the first officer notified the flight attendants to all be seated at that time. The captain was also aware that the flight attendants had been told to be seated for the duration of the flight. At FL 220 they encountered severe turbulence for about 5 seconds. Two or 3 minutes later, they encountered severe turbulence again, that lasted about 5 seconds. On the way to her seat, one of the flight attendants stopped because of a passenger who had not fastened his seat belt. While she was instructing the passenger, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence and she was thrown about the cabin. The "A" flight attendant next notified the flight crew that the "B" flight attendant had been injured. The captain told the "A" flight attendant to help put the "B" flight attendant in her seat and then to return to her own seat as soon as possible. As the descent continued into the Fresno area, air traffic control (ATC) was notified of the severe turbulence and that medical assistance would be needed upon their arrival. Company flight operations in Fresno was also informed of the situation. Upon arrival at the gate, all of the passengers deplaned without further incident. Paramedics boarded the aircraft and attended to the "B" flight attendant. Subsequent x-rays revealed that she had sustained a fractured ankle. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N493US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N493US-2006-02-15), registration cancelled 2006-02-15, S/N 11161, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fokker FK-28-4000 - Registry model: [Fokker F.28 MK4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/fokker-f-28-mk4000) (registry code 4990810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11161 - Airframe hours: 39157 - Engines: Rolls-Royce RB183-555-15P 5000 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Horizon Air Industries, Inc., doing business as Horizon Air - Registered owner: First Security Bank Of Utah - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 3, 2000, 80 hours before - Departed: SEA, SEATTLE, WA - Destination: FAT, FRESNO, CA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 138 °F, dew point 122 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RBL ## 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 20000214000579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000214000579A), Feb 14, 2000: Fokker F28MK4000, Red Bluff, CA. (.19) On February 14, 2000, at 1134 hours pacific standard time, horizon air flight 2457, a Fokker FK-28, N493US, encountered turbulence over Red Bluff,… 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.