Description

On 12 October 2019, an ATR 42-500 (JA01JC) being operated by Japan Air Commuter on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Kagoshima to Tanegashima in day VMC during which line training was being conducted encountered mild turbulence as it began descent from 11,000 feet with the seat belt signs still off. During a subsequent very brief but severe pitch oscillation, the sole member of cabin crew was thrown off balance and sustained a serious injury which prevented her from continuing her duties and the flight returned to Kagoshima. The upset resulted in a vertical acceleration spike to 3.3g which exceeded the limit load factor.     

Investigation 

The event was classified as an Accident and an Investigation was carried out by the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB). Relevant data was successfully downloaded from the FDR but since the aircraft had continued in service after the accident flight, corresponding data from the CVR had been overwritten.

It was noted that the 42 year-old Training Captain in command, who was occupying the right hand seat and acting as PM, had a total of 8,053 flying hours experience of which 978 hours were on type. The 35 year-old First Officer, who was undergoing Captain upgrade training and therefore occupying the left hand seat, had a total of 3,746 flying hours experience of which 849 hours were on type.