National Transportation Safety Board Printed on : 11/18/2010 6:22:55 PM

Washington, DC 20594

Brief of Accident

Adopted 04/25/2007

LAX07CA077
File No. 21320 01/31/2007 Kaunakakai, HI Aircraft Reg No. N979HA Time (Local): 15:40 HST

Make/Model: Bombardier, Inc. / DHC-8-103 Fatal Serious Minor/None

Engine Make/Model: Pratt & Whitney / PW121 Crew 0 1 5
Aircraft Damage: None Pass 0 0 0
Number of Engines: 2
Operating Certificate(s): Flag Carrier/Domestic
Type of Flight Operation: Positioning
Reg. Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation

Last Depart. Point: HONOLULU, HI Condition of Light: Day

Destination: KAHULUI, HI Weather Info Src: Weather Observation Facility
Airport Proximity: Off Airport/Airstrip Basic Weather: Visual Conditions
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10.00 SM
Wind Dir/Speed: 190 / 023 Kts
Temperature (°C): 27
Precip/Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Pilot-in-Command Age: 42 Flight Time (Hours)

Certificate(s)/Rating(s) Total All Aircraft: 8853

Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Flight Engineer; Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land Last 90 Days: 38
Total Make/Model: 2713
Instrument Ratings Total Instrument Time: 629
Airplane

The airplane encountered severe turbulence during an en route descent and a captain who was deadheading was not secured in his seat and
received serious injuries. The airplane was being positioned to another airport, and had a deadheading flight crew on board. Prior to
the descent, the captain noted an airspeed anomaly for the existing power setting. He also observed that the flap indicator showed a
"slight" deployment of the flaps. He requested that the deadheading captain look out a cabin window, and verify the flap position. The
deadheading captain reported to the flying captain that the flaps were in the fully retracted position. About this time, ATC personnel
requested that a descent be initiated, which the flight crew initiated by reducing the power to slow down the airplane. As the
deadheading captain was making his way back to his cabin seat, the airplane encountered severe turbulence, which lasted about 5 to 10
seconds. He was thrown about the cabin and injured. The flying captain declared an emergency. The flight landed without incident, and
taxied to the gate where the injured crewmember was transported to the hospital. A review was conducted of the ATC air-ground recordings
between Maui approach control (APCON), two other airplanes flying in the area, and the accident airplane (Moku 979). Prior to Moku 979
checking in with Maui approach, the two other airplanes reported moderate turbulence at 4,000 feet, and moderate to occasional severe
turbulence between 2,000 and 2,500 feet. Both airplanes were about 15 miles east of Maui, in the general vicinity of the accident
airplane. The controller contacted FSS, and advised them of the PIREP's. About 75 seconds later, Moku 979 reported in to the approach
control. The controller told them to "expect lower in 5 miles." The controller did not advise Moku 979 of the reported turbulence in
the area. Ninety-five seconds later the controller instructed Moku 979 to begin a descent to 1,500 feet. Fifteen seconds later Moku 979
declared an emergency and reported the injury.
 Brief of Accident (Continued)

LAX07CA077
File No. 21320 01/31/2007 Kaunakakai, HI Aircraft Reg No. N979HA Time (Local): 15:40 HST

Occurrence #1: IN FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH WEATHER

Phase of Operation: DESCENT - NORMAL

Findings
1. (C) WEATHER CONDITION - TURBULENCE,CLEAR AIR

Findings Legend: (C) = Cause, (F) = Factor

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The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows.
an in-flight encounter with clear air turbulence, which resulted in a serious injury to a deadheading crewmember.