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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 4, 1998 · Boeing 737-242C · N746AS

Reno, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 1998
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (1 serious injury, 5 minor injuries), 110 uninjured
Location
Reno, NV
Aircraft
Boeing 737-242C
Tail Number
N746AS
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
LAX98LA104

The fight encountered severe clear air turbulence en route at flight level 350 and diverted to Reno, Nevada.. There were no reports of clear air turbulence from other pilots nor was it forecasted. The seat belt signs were off at the time. A review of the flight data recorder indicated that, for the period involved, vertical acceleration (Nz) varied from +1g to +1.5g to -0.07g to +1.3g to +0.86g over a 6-second period. The recorded data also indicated that atmospheric stability existed at flight level 350 several minutes prior to the turbulent onset. There was little or no warning given to the flight crew of the impending turbulent conditions.

NTSB Probable Cause

Unforecasted and sudden encounter with clear air turbulence when passengers and flight attendants were not secured in their seats.

Full Narrative

On March 4, 1998, at 1315 hours Pacific standard time, Alaska Airlines Flight 684, a Boeing 737-242C, N746AS, encountered severe clear air turbulence (CAT) at flight level (FL) 350 approximately 90 miles north-northeast of Reno, Nevada. There was no damage to the aircraft. Of the 116 personnel onboard, 3 passengers and 2 flight attendants received minor injuries, and 1 flight attendant suffered a broken ankle. Due to the injuries, the flight diverted to Reno. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight was operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc., as a non-stop, regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight from Seattle to Las Vegas. According to the operator, en route conditions were smooth up until the event. The Captain noted no turbulence, chop, etc., and there were no reports by other aircraft of any turbulence. After level off, the seat belt signs were turned off and the normal announcement made by the flight crew to keep the seat belts fastened while seated. Normal service was in progress in the cabin at the time of the accident. A review of the flight recorder data indicated that, for the CAT period involved, vertical acceleration (Nz) varied from +1.0g to +1.51g to -0.07g to +1.3g to +0.86g over a 6-second interval. (See enclosed sketch and FDR time histories.) The recorded data also indicated stable atmospheric conditions (Nz = 1.0g) at FL 350 during the several minutes prior to CAT onset.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-242C
Tail NumberN746AS
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-17 · Turbojet · 16000
Seats119

People & Injuries

Injury Summary6 injuries (1 serious injury, 5 minor injuries), 110 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor5
Uninjured110
Total116
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind305° @ 100 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point-65 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data