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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 25, 2003 · Dornier 328-300 · N427FJ

Roanoke, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 7 uninjured
Location
Roanoke, VA
Aircraft
Dornier 328-300
Tail Number
N427FJ
Operator
Atlantic Coast Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
IAD03LA048

During cruise flight at 22,000 feet, the airplane encountered unforecasted clear air turbulence. The flight attendant, who was standing at the time, sustained serious injuries when she was thrown against the bulkhead, then to the floor. Following the turbulence encounter, the airplane continued to its destination and landed uneventfully. A review of the flight release that was issued to the pilots revealed a warning for occasional moderate turbulence below 12,000 feet for an area several hundred miles to the west of the airplane's route of flight. In addition, no SIGMETs or AIRMETs were issued for the Roanoke, Virginia, area.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane's encounter with unforecasted clear air turbulence during cruise flight.

Full Narrative

On April 24, 2003, about 2235 eastern daylight time, a Fairchild-Dornier 328-300, N427FJ, operated by Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA) as Delta Connection flight 6262, was not damaged after it encountered turbulence during cruise flight. There were no injuries to the two certificated pilots and five passengers; however, the flight attendant sustained serious injuries. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Covington, Kentucky, to Roanoke Regional Airport (ROA), Roanoke, Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the captain, the flight was at cruise altitude at 22,000 feet in visual meteorological conditions. The airplane encountered a "light chop," so he kept the fasten-seatbelt sign illuminated. Without warning, the flight encountered "moderate turbulence" for 2 to 5 seconds. There was minimal altitude loss and the autopilot maintained control of the airplane. Following the turbulence encounter, the crew requested from air traffic control clearance to descend to 19,000 feet, where the remainder of the flight was smooth. The first officer provided a similar account of the events. In a written statement, the flight attendant stated that "continuous light turbulence" was encountered during the flight. While standing in the galley, the airplane suddenly encountered "severe clear air turbulence," which threw her against the bulkhead. As she regained her balance, the airplane encountered more turbulence, which knocked her to the floor. The flight continued to Roanoke Regional Airport and landed uneventfully. A review of the flight release that was issued to the pilots revealed a warning for occasional moderate turbulence below 12,000 feet for an area several hundred miles to the west of the airplane's route of flight. In addition, no SIGMETs or AIRMETs were issued for the Roanoke area.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:35 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDornier 328-300
Tail NumberN427FJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAtlantic Coast Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PW-306B · Turbofan · 6050
Seats35

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 7 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured7
Total8
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class · None
Crew 2First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 21 C
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time01:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data