# NTSB MIA85LA194: Boeing B-737-201, N814N, Vero Beach, FL, June 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1985, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.639848, -80.389472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6398&lon=-80.3895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 43 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA194

## 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 - thunderstorm
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command
  - miscellaneous - continued, flight attendant

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DEVIATING AROUND THUNDERSTORM CELLS WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TURBULENCE. THE CABIN ATTENDANTS WERE CONDUCTING BEVERAGE SERVICE AT THE TIME. THE PASSENGERS ANDYBEEN ADVISED TO GASTEN THEIR SEAT BELTS AND THE 'FASTEN SEAT BELTS' LIGHTS WERE ON. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY EFFORT BY THE CREW TO SUSPEND CABIN BEVERAGE SERVICE. CONVECTIVE SIGMETS ANS WEATHER FORECASTS PROVIDED ADEQUATE WARNING OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ALONG THE ACFT'S PROPOSED ROUTE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT RADAR  DATA PLACES THE ACFT BETWEEN TWO CELLS OF MODERATE TO VERY HEAVY INTENSITY LEVEL LOCATED LESS THAN 10 MILES APART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N814N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B-737-201 (B737-201)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22962
- Airframe hours: 4530
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15 15500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Piedmont Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MCO, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: MIA, MIAMI, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,350 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 20 nm away

## 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 19850616074819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850616074819A), Jun 16, 1985: Boeing 737201, Vero Beach, FL. Two stewardesses injured during turbulence encountered while flying between two thunderstorms.

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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