Created Monday, Jul 31st 2023 18:37Z, last updated Friday, Nov 17th 2023 16:53Z
A United Boeing 737-900, registration N77431 performing flight
UA-2122 from Newark,NJ (USA) to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), was enroute at FL330 over the Atlantic Ocean about 240nm east of Myrtle Beach,SC (USA) when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence causing altitude deviations of at least -150 feet. The aircraft subsequently diverted to Myrtle Beach, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 18 about 75 minutes after the turbulence encounter.
The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE INJURYING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, MYRTLE BEACH, SC.", 2 flight attendants received serious injuries, a passenger received minor injuries. The occurrence was rated an accident.
On Oct 4th 2023 the NTSB reported they have opened a class 4 investigation into the occurrence stating one flight attendant received serious injuries. "A preliminary report will not be issued but a final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation."
On Non 17th 2023 the NTSB released their final report and investigation docket concluding the probable cause of the accident was:
An encounter with convectively induced turbulence (CIT) while in cruise flight.
The NTSB analysed:
United Airlines flight 2122 encountered severe turbulence while in cruise flight at flight level (FL) 330 enroute to Punta Cana Airport (PUJ), Dominican Republic, and a flight attendant (FA) sustained serious injuries.
The flight crew reported that after reaching a cruise altitude of FL330 and before entering oceanic airspace they downloaded the latest Weather Services International (WSI) radar image, lightning data, and SkyPath ride reports. The airborne radar was in use which depicted some very small, scattered cells well below their altitude. Shortly thereafter, the captain visually acquired a cloud buildup immediately ahead and below their altitude. With no visual indication of the cloud on the weather radar they made a right turn to avoid any potential turbulence. While in the right turn, the airplane entered visual meteorological conditions and the captain visually acquired another cloud buildup directly ahead. To avoid the buildup the captain continued the right turn to no avail. The airplane entered the clouds and immediately encountered severe turbulence for about 5 seconds. A public address (PA) announcement was immediately made “be seated immediately, be seated immediately”. Following the turbulence encountered the flight crew was notified that two aft FAs had been injured.
Just before the turbulence event, the number 2L and 2R FAs had moved the beverage cart to the aft galley, so the 2R FA could use the lavatory. After entering the lavatory, she was thrown into the air and landed on her left ankle and knee. The 2L FA stated that as soon as the 2R FA entered the lavatory, they encountered severe turbulence. She and the beverage cart were tossed into the air, and she impacted the floor of the airplane on her left side. She stated that the impact was like “slamming down from a 5th floor building”. Upon being notified of the injuries, the flight crew declared an emergency and diverted to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for medical assistance. The two injured FAs were transported to local hospitals where one was diagnosed with serious injuries.
At the time of the turbulence encounter there were no active significant meteorological information (SIGMETs), convective SIGMETs, airman’s meteorological information (AIRMETs), or pilot reports (PIREPs) of any significant turbulence.
Related Flight:
UA2122,
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