Probable cause
The flight's inadvertent encounter with turbulence.
NTSB analysis
According to the flight crew the flight was carried out in smooth air for most of the way to Dallas. When the flight reached a point about 40 nm west of Bowie VOR, at 17,000 feet altitude, and as the airplane overflew a small cloud, the airplane was abruptly jolted by turbulence. The autopilot disconnected and was immediately reactivated by the flight crew. During the turbulence encounter, an elderly female passenger fell to the floor near the lavatory and suffered a broken ankle.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA08FA064 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 27, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Dallas, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Dallas Fort Worth Iap (DFW)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Embraer 140
- N-number
- N816AE
- Category
- Airplane
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.