# NTSB NYC97LA040: Airbus Industrie A-300B4-605R, N50051, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), January 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 7, 1997, 08:34 local (13:34 UTC) - Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 5 minor, 259 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39317 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39317/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA040 ## Probable cause an encounter with unforecast clear air turbulence and the flight attendant's failure to use the seat 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 - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (cause) - seat belt - not used, flight attendant (cause) ## Analysis The flight was cruising at FL330 in visual meteorological conditions. There were no SIGMETS for turbulence in effect. Flight attendants were working in the forward and aft galleys in preparation for meal service when the flight encountered turbulence. According to the flight data recorder, the turbulence consisted of two pulses which were separated by 8 seconds. Each pulse had a maximum value of +1.6 g's as measured on the vertical axis of the airplane. The seatbelt sign was illuminated. Three flight attendants received minor injuries and a fourth was seriously injured with a fractured ankle. Two passengers in the rear of the airplane whose seat belts were unfastened received minor injuries. ## Factual narrative On January 7, 1997, at 0834, an Airbus Industries A300B4-605R, N50051, operated by American Airlines as Flight 2009, encountered turbulence while operating over the Atlantic Ocean. One flight attendant received serious injuries, 3 flight attendants received minor injuries, and 2 passengers received minor injuries. The remaining 252 passengers, and 5 crewmembers were not injured. The airplane received minor damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the flight which was operated under 14 CFR Part 121, had departed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 0800, and was destined for San Juan, Puerto Rico. Flight 2009 was cruising at FL330 (33,000 feet), about 30 miles south of Champs intersection, when it encountered the turbulence. The seatbelt sign was illuminated The injured flight attendants were working in the forward and aft galleys, in preparation for cabin service. Both passengers were seated in the rear of the airplane and had their seatbelts unfastened at the time of the turbulence. A cart in the aft galley was thrown into the air and contacted the overhead ceiling. The captain was notified of the injuries and elected to divert to John F. Kennedy Airport, Jamaica, New York, where an uneventful landing was made. The airplane then taxied to the gate where the passengers were deplaned through the jetway. One passenger and the two flight attendants who were working in the aft galley were taken to local hospitals where they were treated and released. One flight attendant was found to have a fractured ankle. There were no SIGMETS in effect for turbulence. A readout of the flight data recorder revealed that the flight had encountered two pulses which were separated by 8 seconds. Each pulse had a maximum value of +1.6 Gs, and minimum value of +0.25 Gs, as measured on the vertical axis of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50051](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50051-2011-08-19), registration cancelled 2011-08-19, S/N 459, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Airbus Industrie A-300B4-605R (A300B4-605) - Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A300 B4-605R](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a300-b4-605r) (registry code 3930308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CF6-80 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf6-80-series) (registry code 30025, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 459 - Engines: GE CF6-80C2A5 61500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: American Airlines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: PHL, PHILADELPHIA, PA - Destination: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 10,900 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19970107047459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970107047459A), Jan 7, 1997: Airbus A300B4605R, Atlanticocean, Minor damage. (-16) The acft in question was at cruise altitude when it was struck by clear air turbulence (cat). There was no SIGMET for cat and nothing in the American… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.