Accident Summary
On June 27, 2019, about 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 525, registration N318RW, sustained minor damage when it encountered severe turbulence near Janesville, Wisconsin. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight.
Flight Details
The pilot had anticipated turbulence along the route, briefed the three passengers, and turned on the seat belt sign. At flight level 240, due to turbulence, the pilot requested and received a deviation from air traffic control to the south side of a squall line. Using onboard weather radar, the pilot determined a greater deviation was needed and made several urgent requests for clearance, which ATC could not approve. ATC then instructed the pilot to descend from FL 240 to FL 200.
Turbulence Encounter
During the descent, the airplane encountered four severe turbulence events, each lasting 15 to 20 seconds, with 5- to 10-second intervals between events. The pilot made further urgent deviation requests, but ATC was unable to approve them.
The pilot reported that all passengers were in their seats with restraints on during the turbulent portion of the flight. However, one passenger, a caregiver for an elderly man, had left her seat to adjust the elderly man's restraints more firmly. While out of her seat, she was thrown about the cabin during the turbulence.
Injuries and Landing
The pilot landed the airplane as soon as possible at Madison, Wisconsin. The caregiver was treated at a local hospital for bone fractures to her right arm, classified as serious injuries. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and two other passengers were not injured.