Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE accident near Runnells, Iowa, April 3, 2010
On April 3, 2010 at about 11:38 am local time, a Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE, registered N869RW, was involved in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Runnells, Iowa. It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 29 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A clear air turbulence encounter during cruise flight, during which an unrestrained cabin flight attendant sustained a hip fracture.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 3, 2010 · about 11:38 am local time
- Place
- Runnells, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 29 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer ERJ 170-100 SE · all ERJ 170-100 SEs on the register
- Registration
- N869RW · no longer on the register · serial 17000133
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight crew had been advised by air traffic control that there were multiple reports of light-to-moderate turbulence along the intended route of flight. While in cruise flight at 31,000 feet, the captain noted a change in wind direction and speed and subsequently asked the cabin flight attendants to be seated. Shortly after the captain's request, the airplane encountered moderate turbulence before the flight attendants were able to fasten their lap belts. One of the flight attendants was thrown from her seat and sustained a hip fracture and a head contusion. According to flight recorder data, the maximum and minimum vertical accelerations during the turbulence event were 1.902 g and -0.199 g, respectively. The flight continued to its intended destination without further incident. The flight was met by paramedics who transported the injured flight attendant to a local hospital for treatment.
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
- Clear air turbulence encounter during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Clear air turbulence › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,500 hours in all; 2,500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: September 1, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,650 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 800 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 18, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,495 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, February 21, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 82,011 lb
- Seats: 74
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: General Electric CF34-8E5 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: General Electric CF34-8E5 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Republic Airlines
The flight
- Departed from: KOMA Omaha NE at 10:40 am
- Destination: KMKE Milwaukee WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 am from KDSM, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | 1 | ||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 26 |
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.