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NTSB Report
June 26, 1988 · Boeing 737 · N9040U
Salisbury, MD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 106 uninjured
Location
Salisbury, MD
Aircraft
Boeing 737
Tail Number
N9040U
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
BFO88LA061
BEFORE THE FLT, THE CREW RECEIVED A SEVERE WX WARNING CONCERNING WX ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLT. THE CAPTAIN INFORMED THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO BE PREPARED TO HAVE PASSENGER SERVICE COMPLETED EARLY AND TO BE SEATED BEFORE THE DESCENT. BEFORE ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE, THE CAPTAIN TURNED ON THE SEAT BELT SIGN AND MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE PASSENGERS SHOULD BE SEATED WITH THEIR BELTS FASTENED. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS. A FEMALE PASSENGER AND HER 4 YR OLD DAUGHTER LEFT THEIR SEATS SO THE CHILD COULD USE THE LAVATORY AT THE REAR OF THE AIRPLANE. WHILE THEY WERE RETURNING TO THEIR SEATS, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE FEMALE PASSENGER SUFFERED A FRACTURED LEG.
Full Narrative
BEFORE THE FLT, THE CREW RECEIVED A SEVERE WX WARNING CONCERNING WX ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLT. THE CAPTAIN INFORMED THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO BE PREPARED TO HAVE PASSENGER SERVICE COMPLETED EARLY AND TO BE SEATED BEFORE THE DESCENT. BEFORE ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE, THE CAPTAIN TURNED ON THE SEAT BELT SIGN AND MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE PASSENGERS SHOULD BE SEATED WITH THEIR BELTS FASTENED. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS. A FEMALE PASSENGER AND HER 4 YR OLD DAUGHTER LEFT THEIR SEATS SO THE CHILD COULD USE THE LAVATORY AT THE REAR OF THE AIRPLANE. WHILE THEY WERE RETURNING TO THEIR SEATS, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE FEMALE PASSENGER SUFFERED A FRACTURED LEG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 737
Tail NumberN9040U
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D · Turbofan · 15500
Seats111
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 106 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured106
Total107
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC