Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR accident near Columbus, Ohio, August 27, 2014
On August 27, 2014 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 2008 Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR, registered N204JQ, was involved in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Columbus, Ohio. It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 55 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the capabilities of the beverage cart were exceeded which resulted in the cart toppling over and fracturing the flight attendant's foot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 2014 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 55 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR 200LR, built 2008 · all ERJ 170 200 LRs on the register
- Registration
- N204JQ · registry record · serial 17000243
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to flight attendant (FA) statements, the airplane was climbing to cruise altitude in smooth air. While preparing for meal service, a FA pulled out a beverage cart from its stowed position in the aft galley and it immediately toppled over onto the foot of another FA that was in area. The injured FA was unable to continue her duties and the flight diverted to a closer airport without further incident. The flight attendant was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with an open fracture of her right foot. There were no reported malfunctions or failures with the beverage cart.
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 enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Equipment/furnishings › Flight compartment equipment › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,616 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 31, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,421 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 16, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,650 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Seats: 80
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: General Electric CF34-8E5 (turbofan); 12,856 hours total
- Engine 2: General Electric CF34-8E5 (turbofan); 22,970 hours total
- Operator: Shuttle America CORP
The flight
- Departed from: KDCA Washington DC at 10:10 pm
- Destination: KOMA Omaha NE
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from KOKV, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | 1 | ||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 52 |
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.