Challenger 350 clear-air turbulence injures passenger, 2021

Final reportTurbulenceCabin injury

The short version

N743QS was cruising at FL400 from San Juan to Jacksonville when it met light clear-air turbulence, and the crew switched on the seat belt sign. Moderate turbulence followed while a passenger was walking back from the lavatory. The passenger fell and broke some ribs. The NTSB published a short final report based on the crew's account.

What happened

  1. N743QS departs San Juan on an IFR flight plan to Jacksonville.

  2. In cruise at FL400 the airplane meets light clear-air turbulence that the crew did not expect. They switch on the seat belt sign.

  3. Shortly after, the turbulence becomes moderate. One passenger is out of their seat, walking back from the lavatory.

  4. About this time the passenger falls and breaks some ribs. Nobody else is hurt.

All times are local.

The report is a short data record. It gives the crew's account in one paragraph and does not say how strong the turbulence was in g, how long it lasted, where the airplane landed, or what the crew did after the injury. Both pilots wore five-point harnesses. The captain had 12,122 hours, 2,008 of them on type. The first officer had 14,894 hours, 2,052 on type.1

The weather at Providenciales, 50 NM from the position given, was good at 0900: wind 090° at 6 kt, visibility 10 miles, a few clouds at 1,000 ft, 28°C. The report lists the forecast turbulence as unknown and the actual turbulence as moderate clear-air turbulence.1

Why it happened

  1. The NTSB found the probable cause to be the airplane's encounter with moderate clear-air turbulence, which seriously injured one unrestrained passenger.1

  2. Its findings list clear-air turbulence twice: as a factor that contributed to the outcome, and under awareness of the condition.

The report makes no safety recommendations, and no safety actions are recorded.

What a crew can take from it

  1. The first light bump can be the start of something stronger. Here light clear-air turbulence came first and moderate turbulence followed. When the first bumps arrive at altitude, treat them as a warning and get the cabin settled straight away.

  2. A seat belt sign does not put people back in their seats. The crew switched it on, and a passenger was still walking back from the lavatory when the turbulence got worse. Follow the chime with a short announcement telling everyone to sit down and fasten their belt now. If someone is up, check that they are back in a seat.

  3. Brief belts at the start of the flight. In clear air at FL400 there may be no warning at all. Ask passengers to keep their belt fastened whenever they are seated, so that the people already in their seats are covered when the first jolt comes.

Study it on the course

Sources

  1. National Transportation Safety Board. Aviation Investigation Final Report ERA22LA088, Bombardier BD-100-1A10, N743QS, Atlantic Ocean, Turks and Caicos Islands, 21 November 2021. First published 9 June 2022, last revised 23 December 2025.
  2. NTSB, public docket ERA22LA088.

Last updated 22 October 2026

For study only. Always use the approved AFM, QRH and operator procedures.