Accident Embraer ERJ-175LR N85356,
ASN logo
ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 385227
 
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information. If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.

Date:Saturday 3 December 2022
Time:17:11 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic E170 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Embraer ERJ-175LR
Owner/operator:Mesa Airlines
Registration: N85356
MSN: 17000692
Year of manufacture:2017
Total airframe hrs:7495 hours
Engine model:GE CF34-8E5
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 68
Aircraft damage: None
Category:Accident
Location:Taneytown, MD -   United States of America
Phase: Approach
Nature:Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:New York-La Guardia Airport, NY (LGA/KLGA)
Destination airport:Washington-Dulles International Airport, DC (IAD/KIAD)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
Mesa Airlines flight 6048 encountered turbulence at 10,000 ft during descent into Dulles International Airport (IAD), Chantilly, Virgina. As a result of the turbulence, one flight attendant sustained serious injuries. The airplane landed without further incident. The flight originated from LaGuardia International Airport (LGA), New York, New York.

According to the flight crew, while descending on the HYPER EIGHT arrival, the air traffic controller advised their airplane was following a 'heavy jet' and asked if a 7-mile separation would be sufficient. The captain asked for a 10-mile separation, which was granted, and the controller provided vectors to increase the spacing between the two airplanes. The crew could not see the other airplane visually, nor could they determine its location using the traffic collision avoidance system.

During the descent, as the airplane crossed the HYPER intersection at 10,000 ft and 250 knots, it encountered moderate turbulence described as a 'rapid jolt' while in instrument meteorological conditions. At the time, the seatbelt sign was on, and the two flight attendants along with another commuting flight attendant, were standing in the aft galley. The turbulence resulted in all three of them being 'tossed about and hit the floor.' One flight attendant sustained a broken ankle.

The flight crew declared a medical emergency and notified dispatch of the event. The commuting flight attendant assumed the duties for the injured flight attendant. The remainder of the fight was uneventful, and paramedics met the airplane at the gate and transported the injured flight attendant to the hospital.

According to the operator, the flight crew was not aware of any forecast turbulence in the area or reports of turbulence encounters by other pilots (PIREPS).

Probable Cause: An encounter with turbulence during descent.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: DCA23LA090
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 1 year and 3 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB DCA23LA090

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
04-Apr-2024 08:05 ASN Update Bot Added
04-Apr-2024 08:53 ASN Updated [Aircraft type, Nature, Narrative]

Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description

The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:

CONNECT WITH US: FSF on social media FSF Facebook FSF Twitter FSF Youtube FSF LinkedIn FSF Instagram

©2024 Flight Safety Foundation

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
www.FlightSafety.org