# NTSB NYC08CA156: Boeing 737-823, N947AN, Miami, FL, April 7, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 6, 2008, 22:00 local (Apr 7, 2008, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Location: 25.7743° N, 80.1937° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miami, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 25.372777, -82.164443, outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7743&lon=-80.1937&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 146 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA156

## Probable cause

An unexpected encounter with turbulence, during the initial descent 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 737-823, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=13844CB), [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.

- [Enroute-descent: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 737-823, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=13844CB), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The Boeing 737-800 encountered turbulence while descending for arrival. The pilot flying (captain) stated that 26 minutes before the scheduled landing he asked the flight attendants to prepare the cabin earlier than normal due to convective weather along the route of flight. Ten minutes after the announcement the airplane encountered turbulence. The pilot reported that both of the airplane's weather radar systems were turned on, and were scanning at 40 and 80 miles range respectively. He reported that the returns showed no convective activity in the immediate area. Two flight attendants were in the aft galley area, after having secured the main cabin for landing, when the turbulence was encountered. During the encounter the attendants were thrown to the ceiling and one sustained a fractured ankle.

## Factual narrative

The Boeing 737-800 encountered turbulence while descending from 37,000 feet to 24,000 feet during an arrival to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Florida. The pilot flying (captain) stated that 26 minutes before the scheduled landing he asked the flight attendants to prepare the cabin earlier than usual, due to "weather south and west of MIA and along our route of flight." Ten minutes after the announcement the airplane encountered turbulence with altitude changes of plus or minus 500 feet within a few seconds. The pilot reported that both of the airplane's weather radar systems were turned on, and were scanning at 40 and 80 miles range respectively. He reported that the returns showed no convective activity in the immediate area. The flight attendants reported preparing the cabin for arrival, per the pilot's request. Two flight attendants were finalizing their duties in the aft galley when the airplane encountered turbulence and they were thrown to the ceiling. After they came down they attempted to open the jump seat and secure themselves, but again were thrown to the ceiling. During the sequence, one of the flight attendants sustained a fractured ankle.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N947AN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N947AN), registered now, S/N 29536, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 737-823
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-823](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-823) (registry code 13844CB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29536
- Airframe hours: 22788
- Engines: CFM International CFM56 26400 hp turbo fan; CFM International CFM56 26400 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: American Airlines Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MMUN, Cancun
- Destination: MIA, Miami, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MIA, Miami International Airport, runway 9, 13,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 11,100 total, 3,600 in this make and model, 88 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 147 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night
- Wind: 190° at 22 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 0.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 80 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 20080407857709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080407857709A), Apr 7, 2008: Boeing 737823, Homestead, FL, No damage. In this inspectors opinion and after reviewing all reports, these flight attendant injuries were unavoidable due to clear air turbulence. The pilots had the…

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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