Created Friday, Aug 21st 2026 19:38Z, last updated Friday, Aug 21st 2026 19:38Z
A United Boeing 787-9, registration N23994 performing flight
UA-115 (dep Mar 29th) from San Francisco,CA (USA) to Papeete (French Polynesia) with 151 passengers and 12 crew, was enroute over the Pacific Ocean (initially at FL300, later FL380, location or time unknown so far), when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing serious injuries to one flight attendant. The aircraft continued to Papeete for a safe landing.
The airline reported: "One flight attendant sustained an injury when United flight 115 encountered moderate turbulence enroute to Papeete. No customers were injured, the flight landed safely and paramedics met the aircraft upon arrival."
The NTSB reported they opened an investigation into the occurrence over the Pacific Ocean involving N23994. The occurrence was rated an accident, the highest level of injury was serious.
On Aug 21st 2026 the NTSB released their final report and investigation docket concluding the probable cause of the accident was:
An unanticipated encounter with clear air turbulence while in cruise flight.
The NTSB analysed:
According to the flight crew, dispatch had planned the flight at FL300 due to forecast turbulence between FL320 and FL380 off the California coast. After departure, the flight attendants remained seated until the airplane reached cruise altitude at FL300 and conditions were deemed suitable to begin cabin service. During the first 90 minutes of flight, the airplane encountered intermittent light turbulence, resulting in multiple communications with dispatch and periodic illumination of the seatbelt sign. Dispatch advised that the greatest turbulence risk was expected between latitudes 34°N and 30°N.
About 95 minutes after departure, the airplane encountered a jolt of moderate clear air turbulence with no corresponding returns displayed at altitude on the onboard weather radar.
The sudden encounter with moderate turbulence resulted in two flight attendants falling. The flight crew immediately directed the flight attendants to be seated and notified dispatch of the turbulence encounter. Dispatch advised that the airplane had recently crossed the subtropical jet stream, a condition unknown to the flight crew at the time. Shortly thereafter, the cockpit was informed that a flight attendant had been injured.
Following notification of the injury, the flight crew coordinated with dispatch and MedLink and requested emergency medical services to meet the airplane upon arrival. A physician traveling onboard evaluated the injured flight attendant and recommended diagnostic imaging upon landing. The flight attendant was subsequently transported to a hospital, where they were diagnosed with a serious injury.
At the time of the flight’s turbulence encounter there were no active inflight weather advisories or company issued advisories for the area.
Related Flight:
UA115,
United Airlines News
