Fokker FK-28-4000 accident near Red Bluff, California, February 14, 2000
On February 14, 2000 at about 7:37 pm local time, a Fokker FK-28-4000, registered N493US, was involved in an accident near Red Bluff, California. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 23 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the passenger to fasten his seat belt without the necessity of being instructed by the flight attendant.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 14, 2000 · about 7:37 pm local time
- Place
- Red Bluff, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 23 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Fokker FK-28-4000
- Registration
- N493US · no longer on the register · serial 11161
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The captain initiated descent from flight level (FL) 290 and illuminated the "fasten seatbelts" sign. Upon reaching FL 240, the air began to get "choppy." As they descended below FL 240, the flight attendants were notified to clean up and be seated. A passenger announcement was made at the same time including possible turbulence. Approximately FL 230, the flight attendants were notified to all be seated. At FL 220 they encountered severe turbulence for about 5 seconds. Two or 3 minutes later, they encountered severe turbulence again, for about 5 seconds. On the way to her seat, one of the flight attendants stopped because of a passenger who had not fastened his seat belt. While she was instructing the passenger, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence and she was thrown about the cabin. The "A" flight attendant next notified the flight crew that the "B" flight attendant had been injured. The captain told the "A" flight attendant to help put the "B" flight attendant in her seat and then to return to her own seat as soon as possible. Air traffic control was notified of the severe turbulence and that medical assistance would be needed upon their arrival. Company flight operations in Fresno was also informed of the situation. Upon arrival at the gate, all of the passengers deplaned without further incident. Paramedics boarded the aircraft and attended to the "B" flight attendant. Subsequent x-rays revealed that she had sustained a fractured ankle.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 18,000 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 15,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 39,157 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, February 3, 2000; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 73,000 lb
- Seats: 73
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce RB183-555-15P (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Operator: Horizon Air Industries, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: SEA Seattle WA at 5:26 pm
- Destination: FAT Fresno CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 12 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 138°F (59°C), dew point 122°F (50°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from RBL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 3 | ||
| Passengers | 20 |
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.