Pilot Debrief

EMBRAER-EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE ERJ 170-20 near Indianapolis, IN — 2009-07-11

Final reportCEN09LA461
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Date
2009-07-11
Location
Indianapolis, IN, USA
Airport
IND
Aircraft
EMBRAER-EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE ERJ 170-20
Registration
N120HQ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The passenger's failure to comply with crewmember instructions to remain seated while the airplane was in turbulent weather conditions, resulting in an injury to the passenger.

NTSB narrative

While on final approach to the destination airport, the airplane was in light turbulence with occasional moderate turbulence. Flight and cabin crew reports of the event indicated that several announcements had been made instructing passengers to remain seated with their seat belts fastened for the remainder of the flight and that the fasten seat belt signs were illuminated. After these instructions were given, a passenger elected to leave his seat to use the lavatory. While returning to his seat after using the lavatory, the airplane encountered moderate turbulence and the passenger fell. He suffered a broken ankle.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Passenger ignored multiple instructions to remain seated during turbulence.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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