Description

On 29 April 2014, an Embraer 170 (JA211J) being operated by J-Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Air Lines on a scheduled Japan Air Lines domestic passenger flight from Yamagata to Tokyo Haneda as JAL 1252 briefly encountered sudden and unexpected severe air turbulence during descent towards its destination in day VMC. Both members of the cabin crew sustained injury during consequent falls, one a serious injury and the other a minor injury but there were no injuries to any of the 35 passengers and flight to the planned destination was completed without further event.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB). The aircraft was fitted with two CVFDRs. The relevant voice data had already been overwritten because of continued operation but relevant flight data from the recorders was successfully downloaded in support of the Investigation. ATC recorded data was also obtained.

It was a noted that the 48 year-old Captain had accumulated 13,067 total flying hours including 1,195 hours on type. The 37 year-old First Officer, who was PF at the time of the event, had accumulated 4,480 total flying hours including 2,006 hours on the ERJ170. It was also noted that the flight during which the accident occurred was the first time the two pilots involved had flown together.