Saturday, January 04, 2020

Turbulence Encounter: Gulfstream IV, N962SS; accident occurred January 01, 2020 near Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), California




Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Van Nuys, California

Location: Van Nuys, CA
Accident Number: WPR20CA069
Date & Time: 01/01/2020, 1640 PST
Registration: N962SS
Aircraft: Gulfstream G IV
Aircraft Damage: None
Defining Event: Turbulence encounter
Injuries: 1 Serious, 13 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled 

Analysis

According to the flight crew, during the descent for landing, the airplane was approaching about 16,000 ft when air traffic control informed them of reports of moderate-to-severe turbulence. The flight crew immediately attempted several times to contact the flight attendant to inform her to take her seat, but they were unsuccessful. As the airplane descended through about 12,000 ft, it encountered moderate turbulence. After the encounter, the captain asked the first officer to check on the flight attendant and passengers. The first officer subsequently informed the captain that the flight attendant had fallen and was injured and that he assisted her and then secured her into a seat. The airplane was not damaged. The flight attendant sustained a serious injury.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The airplane's encounter with turbulence during descent, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant. 

Findings

Environmental issues Clear air turbulence - Effect on personnel

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute-descent Turbulence encounter (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 57, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No 
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/06/2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/30/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 12000 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/06/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/31/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 14700 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Gulfstream
Registration: N962SS
Model/Series: G IV Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1989
Amateur Built: No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1121
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 15
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/10/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 73200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Fan
Airframe Total Time: 15303.5 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TAY MK 610-8
Registered Owner: 8 WindowS, LLC
Rated Power: 13850 lbs
Operator: EXECUTIVE CHARTERS INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: E0XA

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVNY, 770 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1651 PST
Direction from Accident Site: 71°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / Clear Air
Wind Direction: 310°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / Moderate
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Van Nuys, CA (VNY)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 800 ft
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: Unknown 
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Unknown

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 None
Aircraft Damage: None
Passenger Injuries: 11 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 13 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.209722, -118.490000 (est)

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