Deadheading Pilot Suffers Serious Injuries

A problem with the flaps on an Island Air Bombardier DHC-8 indirectly led to the fracture of a pilot's back, according to the NTSB's factual report on the January 31 incident.

The Maui News reports the plane (file photo of type, right) was on approach to Hawaii's Molokai Airport when an instrument indicated the flaps had not fully extended during the January 31 incident. The plane's captain noted an anomaly with the airspeed, and the flap indicator showed a "slight" deployment.

The captain asked a deadheading pilot -- one of two passengers onboard the repositioning flight -- to visually check the flaps' position. The pilot left his seat, and reported the flaps to be in the fully retracted position.

As he was returning to his seat from the cockpit, the aircraft encountered several seconds of severe turbulence during which the deadheading pilot was injured, while being "thrown about the cabin," according to the NTSB factual report.

The captain declared an emergency and landed without incident. The injured pilot was taken by ground ambulance to Molokai General hospital where it was discovered he had sustained a compression fracture to the first lumbar vertebrae, located in the lower back.

The NTSB notes Maui approach did not advise the Island Air flight of turbulence, despite the fact other aircraft had reported "moderate turbulence" at just prior to the incident.

FMI: Read The NTSB's Factual Report