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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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March 4, 1986 · Boeing 747-122 · N4729U

Honolulu, HI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 1986
Injury Outcomes
9 injuries (2 serious injuries, 7 minor injuries), 331 uninjured
Location
Honolulu, HI
Aircraft
Boeing 747-122
Tail Number
N4729U
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CHI86FA096

THE SCHEDULED PASSENGER FLIGHT FROM HONOLULU TO CHICAGO ENCOUNTERED CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE (CAT) ABOUT 500 NM EAST OF HONOLULU WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT FLIGHT LEVEL 330. THE TURBULENCE WAS UNEXPECTED, HAD NOT BEEN FORECAST, AND THE FASTEN SEAT BELT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. TWO PASSENGERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED DURING THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER. THE FLIGHT THEN CONTINUED TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE SCHEDULED PASSENGER FLIGHT FROM HONOLULU TO CHICAGO ENCOUNTERED CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE (CAT) ABOUT 500 NM EAST OF HONOLULU WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT FLIGHT LEVEL 330. THE TURBULENCE WAS UNEXPECTED, HAD NOT BEEN FORECAST, AND THE FASTEN SEAT BELT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. TWO PASSENGERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED DURING THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER. THE FLIGHT THEN CONTINUED TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:06 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 747-122
Tail NumberN4729U
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT9D · Turbofan

People & Injuries

Injury Summary9 injuries (2 serious injuries, 7 minor injuries), 331 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor7
Uninjured331
Total340
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind270° @ 13 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data