EMBRAER 140
Dallas, TX, May 27, 2008
Event Information
| Date | May 27, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Dallas, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.75000, -97.33334 |
| Airport | Dallas Fort Worth IAP |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
| NTSB Number | DCA08FA064 |
| Event ID | 20081003X16303 |
Aircraft
| Make | EMBRAER |
| Model | 140 |
| Registration # | N816AE |
| Operator | American Eagle Airlines |
| Owner | American Airlines |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 121 |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 24 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The flight's inadvertent encounter with turbulence.
Full Narrative
On May 27, 2008, at about 10:00 AM central daylight time, American Eagle flight 3646, an Embraer 140, inadvertently flew through turbulent air. The seat belt sign was off at the time and an unbelted passenger received a serious injury. The flight had departed Springfield, MO (SGF), and subsequently landed uneventfully at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), its planned destination.
According to the flight crew, the flight was carried out in smooth air for most of the way to Dallas. When the flight reached a point about 40 nm west of Bowie VOR, at 17,000 feet altitude, and as the airplane overflew a small cloud, the airplane was abruptly jolted by turbulence. The autopilot disconnected and was immediately reactivated by the flight crew. During the turbulence encounter, an elderly female passenger fell to the floor near the lavatory and suffered a broken ankle.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.