B772, en-route, Northern Kanto Japan, 2014

B772, en-route, Northern Kanto Japan, 2014

Summary

On 16 December 2014, a US-operated Boeing 777-200 encountered a significant period of severe clear air turbulence (CAT) which was unexpected by the flight crew when travelling eastbound over northern Japan at night between FL 270 and FL290. The decision to turn back to Tokyo to allow the nine seriously injured passengers and crew to be treated was made 90 minutes later. The Investigation concluded that the CAT encountered had been correctly forecasted but the Operator's dispatcher-based system for ensuring crew weather awareness was flawed in respect of international operations out of 'non hub' airports.

Description

On 16 December 2014, a Boeing 777-200 (N751AN) being operated by American Airlines on a scheduled international passenger flight from Incheon, South Korea to Dallas Fort Worth as AA 280 was over Northern Japan at night when unexpected severe turbulence occurred. Serious injuries were sustained by one of the cabin crew and nine of the 240 passengers and two other members of the cabin crew and 8 passengers sustained minor injuries. Ninety minutes after the turbulence episode, the aircraft advised ATC that a turnback diversion to Tokyo Narita would be made and this was accomplished without further event.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Japan Transport Safety Board. Data from the FDR were successfully downloaded in support of the Investigation but CVR data had been overwritten by the time the aircraft had completed its diversion.

The full content of this page is available to registered users only.
Please Log in or Register

SKYbrary Partners:

Safety knowledge contributed by: