Pilot Debrief

BOMBARDIER INC CL-600-2B19 near HARRISBURG, PA — 2012-03-03

Final reportDCA12CA059
Sign in to save
Date
2012-03-03
Location
HARRISBURG, PA, USA
Airport
PHL
Aircraft
BOMBARDIER INC CL-600-2B19
Registration
N453AW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

an inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence during descent.

NTSB narrative

On March 3, 2012, about 1720 eastern standard time, Air Wisconsin 3733, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19, N453AW, experienced turbulence during descent into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 50 passengers and crew onboard the airplane, one flight attendant received serious injuries and the airplane was not damaged. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Cleveland, Ohio to PHL. According to the flight crew, as the airplane was descending through about 17,000 feet, the flight initially experienced light turbulence so the flight crew turned on the seatbelt sign. Shortly after, the airplane experienced severe clear air turbulence that caused the airplane to drop at least 300 feet. At the time of the turbulence, the flight attendant (FA) was in the galley securing the beverage cart and was thrown to the ceiling and onto the floor injuring her back. The FA was assisted into her jumpseat by a passenger. The flight crew declared an emergency with ATC and requested emergency personnel meet the airplane at the gate. After landing, the FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a fracture of her L-1 vertebrae.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps