Pilot Debrief

BOEING OF CANADA/DEHAV DIV DHC-8-311 near Fayetteville, NC — 2009-08-06

Final reportERA09LA444
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Date
2009-08-06
Location
Fayetteville, NC, USA
Aircraft
BOEING OF CANADA/DEHAV DIV DHC-8-311
Registration
N328EN
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

An in-flight encounter with convective clouds resulting in moderate turbulence and serious injury to a flight attendant.

NTSB narrative

After leveling off at 14,000 feet mean sea level the flightcrew allowed passenger beverage service to occur. Shortly thereafter the flightcrew noticed a layer of clouds ahead and asked air traffic control (ATC) if they could climb to stay above the clouds. The controller was unable to clear the airplane to climb due to traffic above. The captain informed the flight attendant (FA) who began beverage service to put the cart away and be seated due to anticipated turbulence. The flight entered a cloud layer and was then vectored by ATC 80 degrees to the right to a navigation fix. During the turn, the first officer noticed a small cell of precipitation directly ahead of their flight path. The first officer continued the turn 30 more degrees to avoid the cell but the flight encountered about 15 seconds of moderate turbulence. The beverage cart and the flight attendant became airborne, and when she landed she sustained compound fractures of her left tibia and fibula. She alerted the captain and two passengers assisted the injured FA by securing the beverage cart. The injured FA continued to make all required safety announcements. An emergency was declared with air traffic control and the flight proceeded to the destination and landed without further event. The FA was transported to a hospital for treatment. Postaccident operational testing of the weather radar system revealed it tested satisfactory.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental
First missed decision gate
Captain could have delayed beverage service until turbulence was confirmed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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