No fatalities

Flight Attendant Seriously Injured During Clear Air Turbulence Encounter (N7449U)

Buffalo, NY, US

On March 23, 1991, a Boeing 727-222 (registration N7449U) operated by United Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Buffalo, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 11 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Boeing 727-222
Photo: Pete Macklin / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A flight attendant was seriously injured when an aircraft encountered clear air turbulence at FL310. Two other crew and a passenger received minor injuries. Weather briefing had indicated possible turbulence.

Incident

While cruising at flight level 310, the aircraft encountered clear air turbulence. The event occurred during a phase of cruise flight, with no prior warning signs reported other than a forecast in the weather briefing that indicated the possibility of turbulence.

Injuries

In the aftermath of the turbulence, a flight attendant in the aft galley sustained serious injuries. Additionally, two flight attendants who were in the cabin and a passenger who was in the lavatory received minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Response

Following the incident, the flight was diverted to an alternate airport to provide medical assistance to the injured persons. The diversion allowed for timely medical care for those affected.

All Boeing 727-200 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Mar 1991 Boeing 727-222 accident near Buffalo, NY?

A flight attendant was seriously injured when an aircraft encountered clear air turbulence at FL310. Two other crew and a passenger received minor injuries. Weather briefing had indicated possible turbulence.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Mar 1991 Boeing 727-222 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Mar 1991 involved a Boeing 727-222, registration N7449U, operated by United Airlines, at Buffalo, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16577. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.