Primary finding
Probable cause
The airplane’s encounter with turbulence during descent, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the flight crew, during the descent for landing, the airplane was approaching about 16,000 ft when air traffic control informed them of reports of moderate-to-severe turbulence. The flight crew immediately attempted several times to contact the flight attendant to inform her to take her seat, but they were unsuccessful. As the airplane descended through about 12,000 ft, it encountered moderate turbulence. After the encounter, the captain asked the first officer to check on the flight attendant and passengers. The first officer subsequently informed the captain that the flight attendant had fallen and was injured and that he assisted her and then secured her into a seat. The airplane was not damaged. The flight attendant sustained a serious injury.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the flight crew, during the descent for landing, the flight was approaching about 16,000 ft, when air traffic control informed them of reports of moderate to severe turbulence. The flight crew immediately attempted to contact the flight attendant, to inform her to take her seat, but were unsuccessful. As the airplane descended through about 12,000 ft, the airplane entered moderate turbulence. After the encounter, the captain asked the first officer to check on the flight attendant and passengers. The first officer subsequently informed the captain that the flight attendant had fallen and was injured, after which he assisted and secured her into a seat. The airplane was not damaged. The flight attendant sustained a serious injury during the event.