Boeing 737-300 N515AU

Summary

On 7 August 1998 at about 15:29 local time, a Boeing 737-300 registered N515AU was involved in an incident near McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, United States. 132 people were on board and 10 had minor injuries. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 August 1998 at 15:29

Classification

Incident

Location

McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

39.9309, -77.9898

Aircraft

Boeing 737-300

Registration

N515AU

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Philadelphia → Las Vegas

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC98IA165

10 people had minor injuries.

A high altitude encounter with wake vortices.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The Boeing 737 began an uncommanded roll during its climb, just prior to passing through 29,700 feet. The roll angle was most acute about 29,800 feet, when roll reversal began. The captain recovered the airplane, and diverted to a nearby airport without further incident. The weather, both prior to, and after the event, included clear conditions and a smooth ride. Radar analysis revealed that a DC-10, about 10 nautical miles ahead, had climbed through the same area, but 600 feet higher, approximately 1 minute and 11 seconds earlier.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.