Probable cause
The airplane’s encounter with turbulence during descent, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.
NTSB analysis
According to the flight crew, during the descent for landing, the airplane was approaching about 16,000 ft when air traffic control informed them of reports of moderate-to-severe turbulence. The flight crew immediately attempted several times to contact the flight attendant to inform her to take her seat, but they were unsuccessful. As the airplane descended through about 12,000 ft, it encountered moderate turbulence. After the encounter, the captain asked the first officer to check on the flight attendant and passengers. The first officer subsequently informed the captain that the flight attendant had fallen and was injured and that he assisted her and then secured her into a seat. The airplane was not damaged. The flight attendant sustained a serious injury.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20CA069 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 2, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Van Nuys, California
- Nearest airport
- Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Gulfstream G IV
- N-number
- N962SS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1989
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
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.