Accident · 2008-12-20
What the record says
- Event date
- 2008-12-20
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Serious injury
- Aircraft
- BOEING 737-524 (N18611)
- Operating rule
- Part 121
- Operator
- CONTINENTAL AIRLINES INC Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- CONTINENTAL AIRLINES INC
Probable cause
The captain’s cessation of right rudder input, which was needed to maintain directional control of the airplane, about 4 seconds before the excursion, when the airplane encountered a strong and gusty crosswind that exceeded the captain’s training and experience. Contributing to the accident were the following factors: 1) an air traffic control system that did not require or facilitate the dissemination of key, available wind information to the air traffic controllers and pilots; and 2) inadequate crosswind training in the airline industry due to deficient simulator wind gust modeling.
Source: NTSB case DCA09MA021Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Airline transport pilot | — | 50 | Class 1 | 13,100 total · 6,300 in this make/model · 915 last 90 days |
| Co-pilot pilot flying | — | — | 34 | Class 1 | 8,000 total · 1,500 in this make/model · 918 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.