# NTSB NYC87FA264: Lockheed L-1011, N317EA, Bermuda, Bermuda, September 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1987, 15:43 local (19:43 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda, Bermuda
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 39 minor, 99 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA264

## Probable cause

ENCOUNTER WITH UNDETECTABLE CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (cause)
  - seat belt sign - disregarded, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRUISING AT FL310 EN ROUTE BETWEEN PUERTO RICO AND NEW YORK WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE. SEVERAL PASSENGERS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WERE THROWN ABOUT THE CABIN OF THE AIRCRAFT. ONE FLIGHT ATTENDANT RECEIVED A BROKEN WRIST. THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO BERMUDA WHERE THE INJURED PASSENGERS WERE TREATED AND RELEASED. THE FLIGHT CREW SAID THEY WERE OPERATING IN CIRRO-STRATUS CLOUDS AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE AND NO ECHOES WERE BEING SHOWN ON THE AIRBORNE RADAR. THE SEATBELT SIGN WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE AND THE CAPTAIN SAID IN AN INTERVIEW THAT HIS NORMAL PROCEDURE WAS TO KEEP THE SIGN ON AT ALL TIMES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N317EA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L-1011
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 193A-1038
- Airframe hours: 35499
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RB211/228 42000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Eastern Airlines
- Registered owner: Eastern Airlines Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 10, 1987
- Departed: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: JFK, JAMAICA, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,555 total, 786 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870928066129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870928066129A), Sep 28, 1987: Lkheed 10113851, Bermuda, BD, Minor damage. Encountered clear air turbulence en route. Downdrafts injured passengers,flight attendants,damage aircraft interior.

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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