Embraer ERJ 170 100 SE accident near Summit, Mississippi, August 9, 2010
On August 9, 2010 at about 4:34 pm local time, a 2005 Embraer ERJ 170 100 SE, registered N856RW, was involved in an accident during enroute (change of cruise level) near Summit, Mississippi. It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 73 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the abrupt maneuver that was appropriately initiated to comply with the TCAS resolution advisory caused by the momentary projected loss of separation from converging traffic. Contributing to the accident was a passenger's decision to disregard the seatbelt sign.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2010 · about 4:34 pm local time
- Place
- Summit, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 73 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer ERJ 170 100 SE 100SE, built 2005 · all ERJ 170 100 SEs on the register
- Registration
- N856RW · no longer on the register · serial 17000078
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The rapid climb and descent of FAST13 within 30 seconds exceeded the radar systems capability to accurately track and display the altitude changes. Accordingly, the air traffic controller providing services to TCF7530 and FAST13 did not observe FAST13 climb above the assigned altitude of FL280 nor did the controller receive a conflict alert from the radar system. The reason for FAST 13's deviation from assigned altitude was not determined. The TCAS onboard TCF7630 alerted as expected and the first officer appropriately initiated a climb in response to the RA. The seat belt sign was on prior to the TCAS alert because the flight attendants were preparing the cabin for landing. Shortly before the event, a passenger elected to go to the lavatory even though a flight attendant advised the passenger to return to his seat. The passenger was in the lavatory when the TCAS RA occurred resulting in him receiving a serious injury.
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
- Collision avoidance alert during enroute (cruise)
- Abrupt maneuver during enroute (change of cruise level) defining event
- Near midair/TCAS alert/loss of separation during enroute (change of cruise level)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 2,487 in this make and model; 179 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 22, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all; 2,184 in this make and model; 262 in the last 90 days; 81 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Maximum gross weight: 82,000 lb
- Seats: 70
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Ge (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Ge (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Operator: Shuttle America CORP
The flight
- Departed from: ORD Chicago IL at 3:02 pm
- Destination: MSY New Orleans LA
- Flight plan: VFR then IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 2 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 69 |
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.