Boeing 787-9 accident near Pacific Ocean, Outside the U.S., December 3, 2024
On December 3, 2024 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 2020 Boeing 787-9, registered N29975, was involved in an accident during enroute (descent) near Pacific Ocean, Outside the U.S.. It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 235 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An encounter with unexpected turbulence during descent.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 3, 2024 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Pacific Ocean, Hong Kong · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 235 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Boeing 787-9, built 2020 · all 787-9s on the register
- Registration
- N29975 · registry record · serial 66134
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
United Airlines flight 152 encountered moderate turbulence while descending through 10,000 feet to Hong Kong International Airport. As a result, a flight attendant (FA) sustained a serious injury. During the descent, the seatbelt sign was illuminated, and the flight crew had instructed the flight attendants to prepare for landing. The aircraft passed through a thin cloud layer at approximately 10,000 feet, followed by another cloud directly ahead. No radar returns were observed on the aircraft’s weather radar display and onboard weather applications showed no indications of an adverse ride. While passing through the top of the second cloud, the aircraft experienced about two seconds of moderate turbulence. The flight continued without further incident and landed uneventfully. After taxiing to the gate, the crew was informed that the number 4 FA was injured. At the time of the turbulence encounter, the number 4 FA was in the aft galley and was thrown to the floor, impacting her head, wrist, and buttocks. MedAire was consulted, and the FA was advised to seek medical evaluation upon arrival at the hotel. She was later transported to a local hospital, where she was diagnosed with a serious injury. At the time of the turbulence encounter, there were no active forecasts indicating turbulence in the area.
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 enroute (descent) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › (general) › (general) › Awareness of condition
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › (general) › (general) › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 22,000 hours in all; 5,500 in this make and model; 240 in the last 90 days; 89 in the last 30 days; 9,300 as pilot in command; 500 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 30, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 18,000 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 170 in the last 90 days; 90 in the last 30 days; 2,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 26, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Other crew
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Flight time: 13,500 hours in all
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Other crew
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Flight time: 15,948 hours in all
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,522.5 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, December 11, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 563,000 lb
- Seats: 274
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Ge GENX-1B (turbofan); 19,453 hours total
- Engine 2: Ge GENX-1B (turbofan); 41,308 hours total
- Operator: United Airlines INC
The flight
- Departed from: LAX Los Angeles CA at 7:11 am
- Destination: VHHH Hong Kong PO
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | 8 | ||
| Flight crew | 4 | |||
| Passengers | 223 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on September 3, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Flight Crew Statements | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Cabin Crew Statments | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Ual Weather Summary | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Flight Data Recorder - Specialista��s Factual Report | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Flight Data Recorder - Attachment 1 (FDR Tabular Data) | data file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.