What happened
On November 20, 2024, an Embraer SA ERJ 170-200 LR, operating as United Express flight 6149, encountered moderate to severe turbulence while descending toward Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). The aircraft, registration N85352, was performing a scheduled domestic flight from Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Chantilly, Virginia.
At approximately 1846 EST, the aircraft was flying at 16,400 feet MSL on the ROLN2 arrival in visual meteorological conditions when it hit a pocket of severe clear air turbulence. At the time of the encounter, the seatbelt sign was illuminated, and two flight attendants were performing prelanding safety duties. The turbulence resulted in 2 serious injuries to the flight attendants. The 75 passengers and 2 flight crew members were not injured, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
During the descent, the flight crew reported experiencing moderate turbulence to Cleveland Approach. The crew later informed air traffic control that they had experienced "some pretty good turbulence" and reported an injured flight attendant. After initially declining to declare an emergency, the crew declared an emergency at 1850:30 EST. The aircraft landed at CLE without further incident and was met by emergency medical personnel.
The investigation
Data from the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system tracked the flight from its departure at IAD through its arrival at CLE. Investigation of air traffic control records revealed that while other aircraft in the vicinity had reported turbulence, these reports were not relayed to the crew of N85352. Specifically, a pilot report (PIREP) regarding moderate turbulence from another flight was not entered into the Aeronautical Information System (ASIR) or communicated to the accident flight crew.
Meteorological data showed that a Center Weather Advisory (CWA) and Convective SIGMET had been issued for thunderstorms in central Pennsylvania, and an AIRMET Tango 4 series advisory had been updated for moderate turbulence at various altitudes. However, the investigation is looking into why specific turbulence reports from nearby aircraft were not provided to the crew of flight 6149.