# NTSB NYC08CA115: Boeing 737-700, N551WN, Valdosta, GA, February 23, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 22, 2008, 20:00 local (Feb 23, 2008, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Valdosta, GA
- Coordinates: 30.819775, -83.280647
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8198&lon=-83.2806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 102 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Southwest CMO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA115

## Probable cause

An unexpected encounter with turbulence, while on approach for landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing 737-76Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=13845AA), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 737-76Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=13845AA), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The Boeing 737-700 was at an altitude 30,0000 feet, and on the arrival approach for landing, when it encountered unexpected turbulence. The pilot flying stated that the turbulence was at least moderate in intensity and lasted for about 10 seconds. The autopilot remained engaged. The seat belt sign was illuminated and the flight attendants were securing the cabin for landing. One flight attendant was thrown against a wall and sustained a fractured ankle. The airplane subsequently landed without further incident.

## Factual narrative

The Boeing 737-700 was at an altitude 30,0000 feet, and on the "PIGLT1" arrival to Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando, Florida, when it encountered unexpected turbulence. The pilot flying stated that the turbulence was at least moderate in intensity and lasted for about 10 seconds. The autopilot remained engaged. The seat belt sign was illuminated and the flight attendants were securing the cabin for landing. One flight attendant was thrown against a wall and sustained a fractured ankle. The airplane subsequently landed at MCO without further incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N551WN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N551WN-2025-05-23), registration cancelled 2025-05-23, S/N 30280, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 737-700
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-76Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-76q) (registry code 13845AA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B22 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b22-series) (registry code 13043, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30280
- Airframe hours: 18985
- Engines: CFM International CFM56-7B22 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM International CFM56-7B22 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Southwest Airlines Co., doing business as Southwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Wells Fargo Bank NW NA Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 1, 2008
- Departed: MCI, Kansas City, MO
- Destination: MCO, Orlando, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MCO, Orlando International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 33; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 7,292 total, 1,092 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: VLD

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20080222839409I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080222839409I), Feb 22, 2008: Boeing 73776Q, Orlando, FL, No damage. (-23) While at 30000' descending on the PICLT1 into mco, aircraft encountered turbulence. Flight attendant [privacy data omitted] thought he had a sprain in…

## Other investigations on N551WN (1)

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.

- [NTSB ENG08IA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG08IA042), Oct 1, 2008: Boeing 737 (N551WN), Chicago, IL, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The right nose landing gear axle's failure from intergranular and fatigue cracking due to an earlier bearing failure.

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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