Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 18 April 1998
Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-2F6B
Owner/operator: Tower Air
Registration Number: N623FF
Location: Atlantic Ocean – ÿ Atlantic Ocean
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Status: Minor
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 419
Component Affected: Seat belt fittingSeat belt fitting
Category: Accident
A flight from Paris to New York experienced a significant turbulence event due to unexpected clear air turbulence. The flight crew had warned of potential turbulence, and passengers were instructed to fasten their seatbelts. During the encounter, several passengers and flight attendants were tossed about by the turbulence. Two seat belt fitting failures were identified, resulting in intergranular failure during metallurgical examination. The incident was likely caused by passengers failing to follow instructions regarding seat belt fastening prior to the turbulence.A flight from Paris to New York experienced a significant turbulence event due to unexpected clear air turbulence. The flight crew had warned of potential turbulence, and passengers were instructed to fasten their seatbelts. During the encounter, several passengers and flight attendants were tossed about by the turbulence. Two seat belt fitting failures were identified, resulting in intergranular failure during metallurgical examination. The incident was likely caused by passengers failing to follow instructions regarding seat belt fastening prior to the turbulence.

Description

The flight was crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Paris France, to New York, New York. The flight crew had been briefed on the possibility of encountering clear air turbulence. The seat belt sign was turned on about 30 to 45 minutes prior to the encounter, and announcements were made in both French and English for the passengers to fasten their seat belts. An additional announcement was made about 10 minutes before the encounter. Meal service was taking place in the main cabin and the flight attendants were not seated. The airplane encountered clear air turbulence and several unsecured passengers and flight attendants were tossed about. In addition two seat belt fitting failed under the loads. Metallurgical examination of the failed fittings found intergranular failure. A check of additional fittings revealed specified metallurgy. Probable Cause: The injured passengers failure to follow the directions to fasten their seat belts, prior to an encounter with clear air turbulence.

Primary Cause

Failure to follow instructions regarding seat belt fastening prior to encountering clear air turbulence.Failure to follow instructions regarding seat belt fastening prior to encountering clear air turbulence.

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