Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

August 18, 2023 · Boeing 777-222 · N209UA

Over The, AO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 2023
Injury Outcomes
9 injuries (1 serious injury, 8 minor injuries), 247 uninjured
Location
Over The, AO
Aircraft
Boeing 777-222 (1999)
Tail Number
N209UA
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DCA23LA421

United Airlines flight 918 encountered clear air turbulence during cruise flight, while en route to the London Heathrow International Airport (LHR), London, United Kingdom resulting in one flight attendant (FA) sustaining a serious injury. The flight originated at Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. The flight crew reported that their preflight weather briefing revealed no significant areas of weather or turbulence over their planned route to LHR. During their preflight checks an open status message “PASS ADDRESS SYSTEM” displayed on their engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) display and maintenance was called. A technician responded who reinitialized the entire passenger address (PA) system and cleared the status message. The flight crew reported that prior to the JOBOC intersection, there was minimal light turbulence, and the seatbelt sign had been on and off sporadically as required. They also indicated that no turbulence was identified in their immediate vicinity from their inflight weather resources. About 80 nm east of JOBOC, the flight encountered very light turbulence and the first officer (FO), who was the pilot flying, made the PA announcement: “Flight Attendants take your seats.” In a postaccident statement, the captain reported that while in the forward lavatory, the flight encountered very light turbulence and he heard through the lavatory wall, the FO make the PA announcement: “Flight Attendants take your seats.” However, because he did not hear the PA announcement over the lavatory speaker he didn’t know if the rest of the crew or passengers heard this announcement. The in-flight service manager (ISM), who was in the cockpit at the time also heard the FO make the announcement “Flight Attendants take your jumpseats.” As the captain attempted to take his seat (left seat) the flight encountered a moderate turbulence spike that made his knees buckle and threw him back down into the 1st observer’s seat. He indicated that he was able to flash the seatbelt sign on and off three times rapidly. The flight crew then executed all the steps of the TURBULENCE IMMEDIATE ACTION GUIDE. The turbulence ended as abruptly as it had begun. The captain then made a PA announcement “Flight attendants check in.” The ISM advised the captain that all the flight attendants had been knocked to the floor and one was seriously injured. The flight crew contacted dispatch and advised of the clear air turbulence encounter. The dispatcher had no reports of turbulence from any other United flights in the area. According to the cabin crew, they did not hear the PA announcement “Flight Attendants take your seats” and therefore they were completing their normal duties when, without warning, the airplane encountered turbulence. One FA, who was delivering meals at the time of the turbulence encounter, was thrown down, impacted the floor, and was injured. According to the ISM, shortly after the encounter, the captain came on the PA and said “Flight Attendants, Check In.” The cabin crew heard that announcement and the ISM reported to the flight crew that one FA was on the floor and was unable to get up. Upon being notified of the injured FA, the flight crew declared a medical emergency and requested paramedics meet the aircraft at the gate in LHR. The injured FA was moved to an unoccupied passenger seat, given ice, and was assisted by an onboard medical doctor for the rest of the flight. After landing the FA was transported to a local hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured left fibula. A postaccident functional check of the passenger address system revealed no malfunctions or anomalies with the system.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-Clear air turbulence-Awareness of condition

Full Narrative

United Airlines flight 918 encountered clear air turbulence during cruise flight, while en route to the London Heathrow International Airport (LHR), London, United Kingdom resulting in one flight attendant (FA) sustaining a serious injury. The flight originated at Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. The flight crew reported that their preflight weather briefing revealed no significant areas of weather or turbulence over their planned route to LHR. During their preflight checks an open status message “PASS ADDRESS SYSTEM” displayed on their engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) display and maintenance was called. A technician responded who reinitialized the entire passenger address (PA) system and cleared the status message. The flight crew reported that prior to the JOBOC intersection, there was minimal light turbulence, and the seatbelt sign had been on and off sporadically as required. They also indicated that no turbulence was identified in their immediate vicinity from their inflight weather resources. About 80 nm east of JOBOC, the flight encountered very light turbulence and the first officer (FO), who was the pilot flying, made the PA announcement: “Flight Attendants take your seats.” In a postaccident statement, the captain reported that while in the forward lavatory, the flight encountered very light turbulence and he heard through the lavatory wall, the FO make the PA announcement: “Flight Attendants take your seats.” However, because he did not hear the PA announcement over the lavatory speaker he didn’t know if the rest of the crew or passengers heard this announcement. The in-flight service manager (ISM), who was in the cockpit at the time also heard the FO make the announcement “Flight Attendants take your jumpseats.” As the captain attempted to take his seat (left seat) the flight encountered a moderate turbulence spike that made his knees buckle and threw him back down into the 1st observer’s seat. He indicated that he was able to flash the seatbelt sign on and off three times rapidly. The flight crew then executed all the steps of the TURBULENCE IMMEDIATE ACTION GUIDE. The turbulence ended as abruptly as it had begun. The captain then made a PA announcement “Flight attendants check in.” The ISM advised the captain that all the flight attendants had been knocked to the floor and one was seriously injured. The flight crew contacted dispatch and advised of the clear air turbulence encounter. The dispatcher had no reports of turbulence from any other United flights in the area. According to the cabin crew, they did not hear the PA announcement “Flight Attendants take your seats” and therefore they were completing their normal duties when, without warning, the airplane encountered turbulence. One FA, who was delivering meals at the time of the turbulence encounter, was thrown down, impacted the floor, and was injured. According to the ISM, shortly after the encounter, the captain came on the PA and said “Flight Attendants, Check In.” The cabin crew heard that announcement and the ISM reported to the flight crew that one FA was on the floor and was unable to get up. Upon being notified of the injured FA, the flight crew declared a medical emergency and requested paramedics meet the aircraft at the gate in LHR. The injured FA was moved to an unoccupied passenger seat, given ice, and was assisted by an onboard medical doctor for the rest of the flight. After landing the FA was transported to a local hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured left fibula. A postaccident functional check of the passenger address system revealed no malfunctions or anomalies with the system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:11 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 777-222
Tail NumberN209UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · PW4000 SER · Turbofan · 60000 | P&W · PW4000 SER · Turbofan · 60000
Seats380

People & Injuries

Injury Summary9 injuries (1 serious injury, 8 minor injuries), 247 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor8
Uninjured247
Total256
Crew 1Age 48 · First Class · None
Crew 2None
Crew 3None
Crew 4Age 64 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind65 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:40

Appendix: Source Data