Boeing 737 N23708

Summary

On 17 February 2014 at about 19:54 local time, a Boeing 737 registered N23708, operated by Continental Airlines, was involved in an accident near Kaycee, Wyoming, United States. 120 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, 10 had minor injuries. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 February 2014 at 19:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Kaycee, Wyoming, United States

Coordinates

43.7222, -106.9642

Aircraft

Boeing 737

Registration

N23708

Category

Airplane

Year built

1998

Engines

2

Operator

Continental Airlines

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Denver → Billings

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

Unk

Light

Not Reported

NTSB number

DCA14LA060

2 people were seriously injured.

an encounter with severe mountain wave turbulence during cruise flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight departed normally and climbed to its cruising altitude where it encountered light turbulence. The flight crew descended to a lower altitude twice in an effort to find a smooth ride. The flight encountered an area of severe mountain wave turbulence when the flight was cruising at flight level (FL) 340 in smooth air with the seat belt sign off seriously injuring two flight attendants. According to the NTSB weather study, an Airman's Meteorological Information (AIRMET) for moderate turbulence for altitudes between FL270 and FL390 was issued at 0745 MST for a region that included the accident location. The flight dispatch release for the accident aircraft, which included weather information, included a Flight Planning Guidance product from WSI that advised of light/occasional moderate mountain wave activity between FL310 and FL390 close to where the accident occurred.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.