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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.

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NTSB Report

March 23, 1996 · Boeing B-757-222 · N503UA

Taos, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 23, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 140 uninjured
Location
Taos, NM
Aircraft
Boeing B-757-222
Tail Number
N503UA
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW96LA157

While in cruise flight at flight level 330, the flight encountered unforecasted and unexpected clear air turbulence. An elderly passenger who was in the aisle fell and struck her arm on a seat armrest. The seat belt sign was off.

NTSB Probable Cause

an encounter with unforecasted clear air turbulence.

Full Narrative

On March 23, 1996, at 0920 mountain standard time, a United Air Lines Boeing 757-222, N503UA, encountered unforcasted clear air turbulence in the vicinity of Taos, New Mexico, while in cruise flight at flight level 330. The crew of two pilots and five flight attendants were not injured, and 1 of the 134 passengers received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this Title 14 CFR Part 121 scheduled air carrier flight en route from Orange County Airport, Santa Ana, California, to O'Hare Airport, Chicago, Illinois, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight had been airborne approximately one hour and 30 minutes. According to the crew, the flight encountered unforecasted and unexpected clear air turbulence. The seat belt sign was not illuminated, and an elderly passenger, who was on her way to the lavatory, fell and struck her arm on an arm rest. She received initial treatment from a physician who was on the flight and the flight was met by paramedics upon arrival. They determined the passenger had broken the humerus in her right arm. At the time the accident occurred, there were no pilot reports or other informational notices regarding turbulence.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing B-757-222
Tail NumberN503UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · 2037M · Turbofan · 38000
Seats195

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 140 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured140
Total141
Crew 1Age 59 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data