Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC94LA111

EAST HAMPTON, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N606TW

BOEING 767-200

Analysis

THE BOEING 767 WAS HOLDING AT FL240, BETWEEN CLOUD LAYERS, IN AN AREA OF KNOWN THUNDERSTORMS. THE PASSENGERS WERE SEATED AND THE SEAT BELT SIGN WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WERE PREPARING THE CABIN FOR LANDING, WHEN THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WORKING IN THE FORWARD CABIN WAS THROWN IN THE AIR; HE SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED FRACTURES OF BOTH ANKLES. THREE OTHER FLIGHT ATTENDANTS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

Factual Information

On June 29, 1994, at 1345 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 767-200, N606TW, operated as Trans World Airlines Flight 917, encountered turbulence while holding. One flight attendant received serious injures and three flight attendants received minor injuries. The airplane was not damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight 917 was operating on an instrument flight plan under 14 CFR Part 121. Flight 917 departed Barcelona, Spain, and its destination was John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, New York. The captain reported the flight was holding over the Hampton VOR at FL 240 (24,000 feet). He also reported the seat belt sign was illuminated in the cabin and all passengers had been checked for seat belt usage. He described the turbulence as "very short" in duration. According to an FAA report, and a telephone interview with the TWA Vice President of Safety and Engineering, a flight attendant was at work in the forward cabin, preparing the cabin for descent and arrival. The airplane encountered turbulence and the flight attendant was thrown into the air. Upon landing, he broke both ankles. The airplane was operating in visual meteorological conditions, between cloud layers, and thunderstorms were present in the area at the time of the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

IN-FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE IN THE VICINITY OF THUNDERSTORMS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT(S).

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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