Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170-20 accident near Indianapolis, Indiana, July 11, 2009
On July 11, 2009 at about 2:10 pm local time, a Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170-20, registered N120HQ, was involved in an accident during approach near Indianapolis, Indiana (Indianapolis International airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 83 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The passenger's failure to comply with crewmember instructions to remain seated while the airplane was in turbulent weather conditions, resulting in an injury to the passenger.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2009 · about 2:10 pm local time
- Place
- Indianapolis, Indiana · Indianapolis International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 83 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170-20 · all ERJ 170-20s on the register
- Registration
- N120HQ · registry record · serial 17000193
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on final approach to the destination airport, the airplane was in light turbulence with occasional moderate turbulence. Flight and cabin crew reports of the event indicated that several announcements had been made instructing passengers to remain seated with their seat belts fastened for the remainder of the flight and that the fasten seat belt signs were illuminated. After these instructions were given, a passenger elected to leave his seat to use the lavatory. While returning to his seat after using the lavatory, the airplane encountered moderate turbulence and the passenger fell. He suffered a broken ankle.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Turbulence encounter during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › (general) › Effect on personnel
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › (general) › Response/compensation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Following instructions › Passenger
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,898 hours in all; 2,159 in this make and model; 131 in the last 90 days; 64 in the last 30 days; 9,281 as pilot in command; 2,836 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 7, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,097 hours in all; 2,347 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 59 in the last 30 days; 1,660 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 14, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,581 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 8, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 85,711 lb
- Seats: 86
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Ge CF34-8E5 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Ge CF34-8E5 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Republic Airline INC
The flight
- Departed from: DCA Washington DC at 12:35 pm
- Destination: IND Indianapolis IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 2:10 pm from IND, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 2 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 79 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.