Embraer ERJ-135ER accident near Richmond, Virginia, August 30, 2001
On August 30, 2001 at about 7:55 pm local time, a Embraer ERJ-135ER, registered N25504, was involved in an accident near Richmond, Virginia (Richmond International airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 28 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Inadequate company procedures/directives, which resulted in the flight attendant leaving her seat prematurely, while the airplane was still in an area of turbulence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 2001 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Richmond, Virginia · Richmond International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 28 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer ERJ-135ER
- Registration
- N25504 · no longer on the register · serial 145-186
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was on autopilot in instrument meteorological conditions, descending through 17,000 feet at 280 knots. It was being operated in an area of convective activity, with cells about 20 nautical miles on either side of the flight path. There were no radar echoes in the path of flight. The captain notified the flight attendant that the "ride may be bumpy," and had her sit down. The seat belt sign was illuminated, and a general announcement about potential turbulence was made. Approximately 10 minutes after the announcement, severe turbulence was encountered. The flight attendant, who had gotten up after thinking the area of turbulence had passed, was then seriously injured. There was no specific guidance in the company's flight operations manual about seating cabin crewmembers in anticipation of turbulence. As a result of the investigation, and after coordination with the senior manager of flight safety for the airline, guidance was published that included a requirement that cabin crewmembers remain seated until advised by the captain.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,319 hours in all; 3,086 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 8, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,900 hours in all
- Last flight review: July 22, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,225 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme; 362 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 41,888 lb
- Seats: 29
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Oravia AE3001A1/3 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Oravia AE3001A1/3 (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CLE Cleveland OH
- Destination: RIC Richmond VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from RIC, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.