BOEING 737-7H4 near Pawnee, NE — 2012-02-23

Probable cause

The airplane's encounter with moderate turbulence during cruise flight, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.

NTSB narrative

The airplane had been cruising in smooth air conditions for over 30 minutes when it suddenly encountered 2 to 3 seconds of moderate turbulence. The momentary altitude and roll deviation of the airplane, which was corrected by the autopilot, threw one of the flight attendants against the airplane structure, which resulted in a serious injury to her hand. The flight crew had not been given any turbulence advisories by air route traffic controllers, and the flight crew had not overheard any airplanes in the area reporting moderate turbulence. Immediately after the encounter, the airplane continued in smooth air conditions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Environmental

First missed decision gate

Flight attendants should have been seated during drink service due to potential turbulence.

NTSB coding

• Turbulence encounter · Enroute-cruise
• Impairment / Incapacitation

Evidence available

• FDR / data
• 6 docket documents

Docket documents6

• Flight Data Recorder 10 - Attachment 1 - Tabular Data - Flight - (CSV Format)fdr
• Flight Data Recorder 10 - Specialist's Factual Reportfdr
• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Record of Conversation - Captainother
• Record of Conversation - First Officerother
• Record of Conversation - Flight Attendantother

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