Pilot Debrief

BOEING 777 223 near Decatur, TX — 2018-06-10

Final reportDCA18CA201
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Date
2018-06-10
Location
Decatur, TX, USA
Aircraft
BOEING 777 223
Registration
N750AN
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

the passengers failure to comply with the fasten seatbelt sign when the airplane encountered convective turbulence.

NTSB narrative

On June 10, 2018, at about 2043 UTC, American Airlines flight 60, N750AN, B777-200, turbulence during descent to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (KDFW) Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Of the 269 passengers and crew onboard, one passenger received serious injuries and seven flight attendants received minor injuries. There was no damage to the airplane. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a scheduled international passenger flight from Narita International Airport (RJAA) Narita, Japan, to KDFW. As the flight began its descent into KDFW, the captain illuminated the seatbelt sign and made a public address announcement reminding passengers that the seatbelt sign was on and that they were to "return to your seats and buckle up for the remainder of the flight." Shortly after the captain notified the flight attendants (FA) to "prepare for landing and take your seats", the airplane entered a band of small cumulus clouds and experienced 10-15 seconds of moderate turbulence. When the turbulence was encountered, the FAs were conducting their final cabin safety checks since the captain had informed them that there might be turbulence during descent. As a result, seven FAs were thrown to the floor and one passenger, who had ignored the seatbelt sign and instructions to remain seated, was also thrown to the floor and injured his left ankle. The FAs notified the flight crew, who arranged for paramedics to meet the airplane at the gate. After landing, the passenger was transported to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a broken ankle and the seven FA's who had received various minor injuries were treated at the airplane and released.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Passenger ignored seatbelt sign despite turbulence warning.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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