Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 14 July 1990
Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-136
Owner/operator: British Airways
Registration Number: G-AWNL
Location: Miami, FL –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 383
Component Affected: The aircraft.The aircraft.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident

A severe turbulence event occurred during descent to Miami International Airport, triggered by moderate thunderstorm activity at least 12,300 feet. Peak G forces were observed approximately 40 seconds after the turbulence commenced.A severe turbulence event occurred during descent to Miami International Airport, triggered by moderate thunderstorm activity at least 12,300 feet. Peak G forces were observed approximately 40 seconds after the turbulence commenced.
Description
FLT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE WHILE DESCENDING THROUGH 12,300 FEET ON APPROACH TO MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. WEATHER STUDIES INDICATED THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN AT LEAST MODERATE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY AND NEAR AN AREA OF VERY HEAVY OR LEVEL 4 ACTIVITY. FLIGHT RECORDER DATA INDICATED PEAK G FORCES WERE ENCOUNTERED 40 SECONDS AFTER TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER. PEAK G FORCES WERE FROM 1.5 TO -0.5 G OVER A THREE SECOND PERIOD. Probable Cause: THE INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH SEVERE TURBULENCE WHILE OPERATING IN AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY.
Primary Cause
Inadvertent encounter with severe turbulence while operating in an area of thunderstorm activity.Inadvertent encounter with severe turbulence while operating in an area of thunderstorm activity.Share on: