Event Description
On August 8, 2019, at approximately 1547 central daylight time, a Bombardier CL-600-2B16 business jet, registration N237QS, was involved in an accident while climbing through flight level (FL) 335 to an assigned altitude of FL340. The aircraft was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. The captain, who was at the controls, reported that the air was smooth prior to the event. Suddenly, the airplane began to shudder and quickly rolled left and then back to the right, accompanied by pitch oscillations. The autopilot (AP) was engaged at the time; the captain disconnected it and attempted to stabilize the aircraft. The passenger seat belt sign was off.
According to the flight data recorder, the wake turbulence encounter lasted 11 seconds. During this period, the maximum bank angles reached 23.4° right and 12.6° left. Pitch varied between 8.5° nose up and -2.5° nose down. Airspeed remained stable between 268 and 276 knots. Heading initially at 280 degrees moved left to 272°, then oscillated to 282° and back to 269°.
Injuries and Cabin Effects
The flight attendant reported that unsecured objects, including food, broken plates, dishware, and lavatory fluid, were thrown about the cabin. The pilot and co-pilot were not injured. The flight attendant sustained minor injuries. Among the passengers, one sustained serious injuries, one sustained minor injuries, and five were not injured.
Post-Event Actions and Divert
After the event, the flight crew stabilized the aircraft and assessed the situation. Believing it was wake turbulence, they notified air traffic control (ATC) of the event and requested a climb to FL360 to avoid further wake. The flight attendant conducted an immediate assessment of injuries, and the captain went to the cabin to check on passengers and crew. Based on the injuries, the captain decided to divert the flight. The crew coordinated with ATC to change the destination to Lubbock, Texas, and advised the company. A normal approach and landing were made at Lubbock (LBB).
Emergency services met the aircraft upon arrival. Two passengers were transported to the hospital: one was treated and released with minor injuries, and the other was admitted with a tibia fracture requiring surgery. The flight attendant, who was standing in the galley at the time, reported several minor injuries and was escorted to the hospital by the flight crew, treated, and released.
Surrounding Circumstances
Flight data indicated that at the time of the event, N237QS was between eight and ten miles behind FedEx Flight 3154, an Airbus A300 en route from Fort Worth Alliance (AFW) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR). The FedEx flight was level at FL340 on the same assigned route. The flight crew of N237QS was unaware of the preceding Airbus until after the encounter. Flight data recorder data showed winds from 336° at 77 knots during one data plot, indicative of a right quartering headwind.