Douglas DC-8-62F N71CX

Summary

On 10 September 2011 at about 06:55 local time, a Douglas DC-8-62F registered N71CX, operated by Air Transport International LLC, was involved in an accident near Yakota, Japan. 37 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 September 2011 at 06:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Yakota, Japan

Coordinates

21.0000, 127.2500

Aircraft

Douglas DC-8-62F

Registration

N71CX

Category

Airplane

Engines

4

Operator

Air Transport International LLC

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Singapore → Tokyo

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ANC11CA101

1 person was seriously injured.

The passenger's decision to ignore the fasten seatbelt sign, resulting in serious injury to the passenger during a turbulence encounter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The transport-category airplane was in international airspace, cruising at flight level 270 in the vicinity of thunderstorms, when the captain reported that he illuminated the cabin fasten seatbelt sign and ordered the cabin crew to take their seats and remain seated. The airplane then entered an area of continuous moderate turbulence. Fifteen minutes into the turbulence encounter, a passenger who did not have her seatbelt fastened sustained serious injury when she struck the ceiling of the airplane and then the armrest of her seat and the floor. The captain declared a medical emergency and diverted to the nearest airport. The passenger was hospitalized in excess of 48 hours.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.