Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 6 November 2002
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas MD-82
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Registration Number: N479AA
Location: Orlando, FL – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 76
Component Affected: AircraftAircraft
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
An aircraft encountered moderate turbulence approximately one second in duration, involving a broken layer of clouds and a 2,000-foot vertical buildup. The flight crew prepared for landing six minutes prior to the turbulence. Radar and visual observations indicated minimal more than light turbulence. A flight attendant reported the captain’s statement of potential turbulence ahead, prompting a cleanup procedure. A flight attendant fell onto the seatback, requiring assistance, and subsequently broke an ankle. Emergency personnel responded, providing a splint and transporting the flight attendant to the hospital, where the ankle was discovered to be broken. The probable cause is the turbulence resulting in injuries to the flight attendant.An aircraft encountered moderate turbulence approximately one second in duration, involving a broken layer of clouds and a 2,000-foot vertical buildup. The flight crew prepared for landing six minutes prior to the turbulence. Radar and visual observations indicated minimal more than light turbulence. A flight attendant reported the captain’s statement of potential turbulence ahead, prompting a cleanup procedure. A flight attendant fell onto the seatback, requiring assistance, and subsequently broke an ankle. Emergency personnel responded, providing a splint and transporting the flight attendant to the hospital, where the ankle was discovered to be broken. The probable cause is the turbulence resulting in injuries to the flight attendant.

Description

According to the Captain, the airplane encountered a moderate bump of turbulence, about one second in duration. He stated that the airplane was skimming a broken layer of clouds with about 2,000 feet of vertical buildup. He stated that the preparation for landing public address was given about six minutes before the airplane encountered the turbulence. According to the Captain, there was “nothing on the radar or visual observation of the sky condition to suggest any more than light turbulence. The number one flight attendant stated the Captain told the flight attendants that there might be turbulence ahead and for them to clean up and sit down. She stated that they were in the process of cleaning up “when it got really bad,” and she had to hold onto the seatback. She stated that she saw the number two flight attendant’s legs extending into the aisle. The number one flight attendant stated that the number two flight attendant had fallen onto her ankle and she helped her into her seat. At the gate, emergency personnel put a splint on her ankle and transported her to the hospital, where it was later discovered that her ankle was broken. Probable Cause: The airplane’s inflight encounter with turbulence that resulted in injuries to the number two flight attendant.

Primary Cause

Moderate turbulenceModerate turbulence

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