Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 31 August 2016
Aircraft Type: Boeing 767-322 (WL)
Owner/operator: United Airlines
Registration Number: N657UA
Location: over Atlantic Ocean ca 1100 km E of St. John’s, Canada – ÿ Atlantic Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Aircraft Flight Controls and Navigation Systems (specifically the seat belt sign)Aircraft Flight Controls and Navigation Systems (specifically the seat belt sign)
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
On August 31, 2016, a United Airlines Boeing 767-322, N657UA, experienced severe turbulence during cruise near London, England, resulting in one flight attendant sustaining a serious injury and two passengers receiving minor injuries. The flight diverted to Shannon Airport, Ireland, following a 45-second period of unexpected turbulence. Initial assessment revealed no injuries to other passengers and crew. The aircraft’s flight data showed smooth cruise conditions prior to the turbulence, with radar operating in AUTO mode and no returns observed. The flight crew reported the seat belt sign was off for approximately two hours. After the turbulence, the seat belt sign was illuminated. Weather analysis by United Airlines indicated a localized convective cell in the area, suggesting potential for severe turbulence. The Atlantic High Weather Prognostic Chart indicated a trough over the region, supporting the development of the convective cell.On August 31, 2016, a United Airlines Boeing 767-322, N657UA, experienced severe turbulence during cruise near London, England, resulting in one flight attendant sustaining a serious injury and two passengers receiving minor injuries. The flight diverted to Shannon Airport, Ireland, following a 45-second period of unexpected turbulence. Initial assessment revealed no injuries to other passengers and crew. The aircraft’s flight data showed smooth cruise conditions prior to the turbulence, with radar operating in AUTO mode and no returns observed. The flight crew reported the seat belt sign was off for approximately two hours. After the turbulence, the seat belt sign was illuminated. Weather analysis by United Airlines indicated a localized convective cell in the area, suggesting potential for severe turbulence. The Atlantic High Weather Prognostic Chart indicated a trough over the region, supporting the development of the convective cell.

Description

On August 31, 2016, at 0210 universal coordinated time, United Airlines flight 880, a Boeing 767-322, N657UA, encountered severe turbulence during cruise that resulted in one flight attendant sustaining a serious injury. Another flight attendant and 10 passengers, including one infant, received minor injuries. There were no injuries to the other passengers and crew onboard and the airplane was not damaged.ÿ The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH), Houston, Texas to the London-Heathrow Airport (EGLL), United Kingdom. The flight diverted to the Shannon Airport (EINN), Shannon, Ireland . According to flight crew statements, the aircraft was in cruise at flight level (FL) 340 approximately 50 miles east of 40W on the North Atlantic Track X, when it encountered unexpected severe turbulence that lasted for approximately 45 seconds.ÿ The captain indicated there was forecast turbulence for this portion of the flight and there were no pilot weather reports (PIREP) or air traffic control advisories in the pre-flight weather package.ÿ The flight crew indicated that the flight conditions were smooth and devoid of any turbulence for approximately two hours prior to the event.ÿ The seat belt sign had been off for about 2 hours prior to the event.ÿ They indicated that the onboard weather radar was operating in the AUTO mode and there were no returns observed prior to the event.ÿ After the event, the seat belt sign was immediately illuminated. After assessing the level and number of injuries, the captain decided to divert to EINN to expedite After landing, all injured passengers and one flight attendant were treated for minor injuries and released; one flight attendant was admitted to the hospital with fractures of the left wrist and L3 vertebra. According to a weather analysis conducted by United Airlines, satellite imagery indicated convective buildup/enhancement in the form of an isolated cell in the region of the event.ÿ The Atlantic High Weather Prognostic Chart valid for the period depicted the potential for isolated cumulonimbus clouds over the area, which implied the potential for severe or greater turbulence associated with the convection. The nighttime conditions and lack of lightning in the lower convection, likely did not provide any visual indication of the developing storms below the flight path. Wind and temperature patterns depicted a diffluent wind flow pattern ahead of a trough over the area of the upset, which supported the development of the isolated convection.ÿ RPM Turbulence did not indicate presence of Clear Air Turbulence. Probable Cause: an inadvertent encounter with severe convective turbulence.

Primary Cause

Inadvertent encounter with severe convective turbulence.Inadvertent encounter with severe convective turbulence.

Share on:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *