Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 7 January 1997
Aircraft Type: Airbus A300B4-605R ?
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Registration Number: N50051
Location: Atlantic Ocean, AO – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Minor
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 265
Component Affected: Flight AirplaneFlight Airplane
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A flight experienced turbulence during cruising at FL330 conditions, resulting in two pulses of turbulence with maximum vertical acceleration of 1.6g each, leading to minor injuries to three flight attendants and a passenger. The incident was triggered by an encounter with unforeseen, clear air turbulence, and a failure to secure seatbelts.A flight experienced turbulence during cruising at FL330 conditions, resulting in two pulses of turbulence with maximum vertical acceleration of 1.6g each, leading to minor injuries to three flight attendants and a passenger. The incident was triggered by an encounter with unforeseen, clear air turbulence, and a failure to secure seatbelts.

Description

The flight was cruising at FL330 in visual meteorological conditions. There were no SIGMETS for turbulence in effect. Flight attendants were working in the forward and aft galleys in preparation for meal service when the flight encountered turbulence. According to the flight data recorder, the turbulence consisted of two pulses which were separated by 8 seconds. Each pulse had a maximum value of 1.6 g’s as measured on the vertical axis of the airplane. The seatbelt sign was illuminated. Three flight attendants received minor injuries and a fourth was seriously injured with a fractured ankle. Two passengers in the rear of the airplane whose seat belts were unfastened received minor injuries. Probable Cause: an encounter with unforecast clear air turbulence and the flight attendant’s failure to use the seat belt.

Primary Cause

Unforeseen, clear air turbulence encounter and failure to use seatbelts.Unforeseen, clear air turbulence encounter and failure to use seatbelts.

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