# NTSB SEA83LA039: Boeing 727, N292WA, Near Yakima, WA, January 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1983, 20:10 local (Jan 8, 1983, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: Near Yakima, WA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 36 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA039

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - seat belt sign - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A CLIMB TO CRUISE, ONE PASSENGER WAS INJURED WHEN TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED AT ABOUT 20,500 FT MSL. THE INJURED PASSENGER WAS A 73 YEAR OLD MALE, A RETIRED PRIEST AND THE ONLY PASSENGER NOT SEATED AND WEARING A SEATBELT.AS HE EXITED THE RESTROOM, THE TURBULENCE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO BREAK BOTH ANKLES. THE FLIGHT RETURNED TO SEATTLE AND THEINJURED PASSENGER WAS DEPLANNED AND HOSPITILIZED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N292WA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N292WA-2010-07-20), registration cancelled 2010-07-20, S/N 22110, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-247](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-247) (registry code 138408F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: QA 941
- Airframe hours: 7976
- Engines: P&W JT8D-15 15500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Western Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 2, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: SEA, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,704 total, 7,064 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F

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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