Embraer EMB-145LR accident near Madison, Wisconsin, November 23, 2010
On November 23, 2010 at about 7:40 pm local time, a Embraer EMB-145LR, registered N678AE, was involved in an accident during standing (engine(s) not oper) near Madison, Wisconsin (Dane County Regional Airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 48 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The passenger's decision to deplane without assistance despite having a preexisting condition that limited her mobility.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 23, 2010 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Madison, Wisconsin · Dane County Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 48 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer EMB-145LR · all EMB-145LRs on the register
- Registration
- N678AE · registry record · serial 14500813
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A wheelchair-designated passenger wearing an ankle brace was instructed to remain seated and wait for assistance that would be provided after the other passengers had deplaned. Despite these instructions, the passenger attempted to deplane without assistance and without the aid of her crutches, which had been stowed in the crew closet for the flight. While walking down the aisle of the airplane's cabin, the passenger fell near the forward galley and broke both of her ankles.
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
- Cabin safety event during standing (engine(s) not oper) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › (general) › Passenger
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 14,974 hours in all; 8,308 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 17, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,394 hours in all
- Last flight review: April 12, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Seats: 50
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Rolls-Royc AE3007 SER (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Rolls-Royc AE3007 SER (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: American Eagle Airlines INC
The flight
- Departed from: DFW Dallas TX at 5:40 pm
- Destination: MSN Madison WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from MSN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 45 |
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.