Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 7, 1994 · Boeing 737-2H4 · N60SW

South Bend, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 104 uninjured
Location
South Bend, IN
Aircraft
Boeing 737-2H4
Tail Number
N60SW
Operator
Southwest Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW94LA229

A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WORKING IN THE AFT GALLEY FELL TO THE FLOOR SERIOUSLY INJURING HER BACK WHEN THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT CREW, RADAR WAS USED TO AVOID WEATHER AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. THERE HAD BEEN NO PILOT REPORTS OF TURBULENCE, AND THE COMPANY DISPATCHER WEATHER PACKAGE DID NOT REPORT TURBULENCE. AS THE FLIGHT CLIMBED THROUGH FL200, MODERATE TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND SMOOTH AIR. THE CAPTAIN STATED THAT THE UNEXPECTED TURBULENCE STARTED AND STOPPED SO QUICKLY THAT HE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO WARN THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS. THE SEAT BELT SIGN WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME THE TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE ENCOUNTER WITH UNFORCASTED AND UNREPORTED TURBULENCE.

Full Narrative

On July 7, 1994, at 1659 central daylight time, a Boeing 737-2H4, N60SW, encountered moderate turbulence near South Bend, Indiana. One flight attendant was seriously injured. Four crew members and 100 passengers were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed for Southwest Airlines Flight 1490, scheduled Title 14 CFR Part 121 flight to Cleveland-Hopkins International (CLE) Airport, Ohio. According to the pilot/operator report, radar was used to avoid weather as the aircraft approached South Bend, Indiana. There had been no pilot reports of turbulence and the company dispatcher weather package did not report turbulence. As the flight climbed through FL200, moderate turbulence was encountered for several seconds. The aircraft then entered visual meteorological conditions and smooth air. The captain stated that the unexpected turbulence started and stopped so quickly that he did not have time to warn the flight attendants. A flight attendant in the aft galley fell to the floor injuring her back. A paramedic on the flight assisted the flight attendant. The seat belt sign was illuminated at the time the turbulence was encountered. The captain made the decision to continue to their destination because the weather they had passed through was getting worse, and the flight attendant's injury was not thought to be severe. As the flight approached Cleveland (CLE) thunderstorms were developing over the airport causing landing delays, so the flight was diverted to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, Michigan. Paramedics met the airplane at the gate and transported the flight attendant to the hospital.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:59 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-2H4
Tail NumberN60SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorSouthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-9(A) · Turbofan · 14500
Seats130

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 104 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured104
Total105
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data