Pilot Debrief

BOEING 767 near Dulles, VA — 2010-08-17

Final reportDCA10FA090
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Date
2010-08-17
Location
Dulles, VA, USA
Airport
KIAD
Aircraft
BOEING 767
Registration
G-BNWU
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

an in-flight encounter with turbulence that resulted in an injury to a cabin attendant.

NTSB narrative

According to flight data and crew statements, the airplane was descending through about 8,000 feet mean sea level in a 25 degree left bank when it encountered one jolt of turbulence that did not damage the airplane but resulted in a flight attendant being thrown down on the floor, which resulted in multiple facial fractures. The flight attendant was in the aft galley preparing for landing, and the seat belt sign was illuminated. The flight crew had previously deviated for weather, and the airplane was entering a thin cloud top as it was becoming established on final approach. The flight crew and flight attendants also noted that the air was relatively smooth beforehand.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental
First missed decision gate
Flight crew could have alerted ATC about the injured FA during final approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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