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NTSB Report
April 23, 1985 · Boeing 727-223 · N856AA
Little Rock, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 23, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Little Rock, AR
Aircraft
Boeing 727-223
Tail Number
N856AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
CHI85FA174
THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARALLELING A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS AND NEEDED TO GET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINE TO GET TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CENTER CONTROLLER SUGGESTED THAT HE REVERSE COURSE TO FLY AROUND THE CLOSER END OF THE LINE BUT THE PILOT DECIDED TO PENETRATE THE LINE INSTEAD. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS BETWEEN TWO THUNDERSTORM CELLS AT LEAST 45 NM APART WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN INTO SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE AIRCRAFT LOST 500 FT OF ALTITUDE AND TWO FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WERE INJURED. THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO SIT DOWN EARLIER BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO STRAP IN. A PASSENGER ON HIS WAY TO THE LAVATORY REFUSED TO SIT DOWN WHEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND WAS INJURED ALSO DURING THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARALLELING A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS AND NEEDED TO GET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINE TO GET TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CENTER CONTROLLER SUGGESTED THAT HE REVERSE COURSE TO FLY AROUND THE CLOSER END OF THE LINE BUT THE PILOT DECIDED TO PENETRATE THE LINE INSTEAD. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS BETWEEN TWO THUNDERSTORM CELLS AT LEAST 45 NM APART WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN INTO SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE AIRCRAFT LOST 500 FT OF ALTITUDE AND TWO FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WERE INJURED. THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO SIT DOWN EARLIER BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO STRAP IN. A PASSENGER ON HIS WAY TO THE LAVATORY REFUSED TO SIT DOWN WHEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND WAS INJURED ALSO DURING THE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:23 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-223
Tail NumberN856AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8-D · Turbojet · 14500
Seats134
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total5
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC