# NTSB MIA89LA228: Fokker F-28 MK4000, N489US, Vero Beach, FL, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 18:58 local (22:58 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.639411, -80.3908 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6394&lon=-80.3908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 13 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA228

## Probable cause

IN-FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH UNFORECAST TURBULENCE, WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY OF A FLIGHT ATTENDANT, WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - seat belt sign - selected, pilot in command
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, flight attendant

## Analysis

THE CAPT RPRTD THAT, WHILE CRUISING IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE, WHICH CONTD FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THE SEAT BELT SIGN WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT A FLT ATTENDANT, WHO WAS NOT SEATED, SUFFERED A BROKEN ANKLE. NO FORECAST FOR TURBULENCE OR PIREPS WERE RPRTD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N489US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N489US-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N 11149, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FOKKER F-28 MK4000 (F-28 MK400)
- Registry model: [Fokker F.28 MK4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/fokker-f-28-mk4000) (registry code 4990810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11149
- Engines: ROLLS-ROYCE MK 555-15H 9900 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Usair, doing business as Usair
- Departed: FLL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,700 total, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: VRB, 17 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 19890819034369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819034369A), Aug 19, 1989: Fokker F28MK4000, Vero Beach, FL. Encountered severe clear air turbulence at FL250. A flight attendant broke her ankle when thrown to the floor.

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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