Boeing 787-9 N23994 accident near Pacific Ocean, PO

Probable cause

An unanticipated encounter with clear air turbulence while in cruise flight.

NTSB analysis

On March 29, 2026, about 1456 pacific daylight time (PDT), United Airlines flight 115, encountered moderate turbulence while in cruise flight at FL300 en route to Faa’a (Tahiti) International Airport (NTAA) Papeete, French Polynesia. Of the 164 passengers and crew onboard, one flight attendant sustained a serious injury. The flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a regularly scheduled international passenger flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco, California to NTAA.

According to the flight crew, dispatch had planned the flight at FL300 due to forecast turbulence between FL320 and FL380 off the California coast. After departure, the flight attendants remained seated until the airplane reached cruise altitude at FL300 and conditions were deemed suitable to begin cabin service. During the first 90 minutes of flight, the airplane encountered intermittent light turbulence, resulting in multiple communications with dispatch and periodic illumination of the seatbelt sign. Dispatch advised that the greatest turbulence risk was expected between latitudes 34°N and 30°N.

About 95 minutes after departure, the airplane encountered a jolt of moderate clear air turbulence with no corresponding returns displayed at altitude on the onboard weather radar. The sudden encounter with moderate turbulence resulted in two flight attendants falling. The flight crew immediately directed the flight attendants to be seated and notified dispatch of the turbulence encounter. Dispatch advised that the airplane had recently crossed the subtropical jet stream, a condition unknown to the flight crew at the time. Shortly thereafter, the cockpit was informed that a flight attendant had been injured.

Following notification of the injury, the flight crew coordinated with dispatch and MedLink and requested emergency medical services to meet the airplane upon arrival. A physician traveling onboard evaluated the injured flight attendant and recommended diagnostic imaging upon landing. The flight attendant was subsequently transported to a hospital, where they were diagnosed with a serious injury.

At the time of the flight’s turbulence encounter there were no active inflight weather advisories or company issued advisories for the area.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA26LA167 for the full record.