Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 5 October 2016
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-8H4 (WL)
Owner/operator: Southwest Airlines
Registration Number: N8324A
Location: Denver International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Standing
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 179
Component Affected: Carry-on bag overhead bin.Carry-on bag overhead bin.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
On October 5, 2016, a Southwest Airlines Boeing B737-800 flight 3663 experienced a passenger-related incident at Denver International Airport (KDEN). A flight attendant, identified as the ‘B’ position flight attendant, lost her balance while retrieving her carry-on bag from an overhead bin. She fell against a seat arm rest near her right rib area, resulting in a fractured rib. The flight was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 domestic passenger flight from Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC), with 2 pilots, 4 flight attendants and 173 passengers. The injured flight attendant reported she had finished her day in Denver and stepped back to retrieve her bag from the bin when she lost her balance, resulting in contact with an arm rest. A crack was heard in her rib area, making it difficult to breathe.On October 5, 2016, a Southwest Airlines Boeing B737-800 flight 3663 experienced a passenger-related incident at Denver International Airport (KDEN). A flight attendant, identified as the ‘B’ position flight attendant, lost her balance while retrieving her carry-on bag from an overhead bin. She fell against a seat arm rest near her right rib area, resulting in a fractured rib. The flight was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 domestic passenger flight from Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC), with 2 pilots, 4 flight attendants and 173 passengers. The injured flight attendant reported she had finished her day in Denver and stepped back to retrieve her bag from the bin when she lost her balance, resulting in contact with an arm rest. A crack was heard in her rib area, making it difficult to breathe.

Description

On October 5, 2016, at about 1725 MDT, Southwest Airlines flight 3663, Boeing B737-800, N8324A, after arrival into Denver International Airport (KDEN), Denver, Colorado,ÿthe “B” position flight attendant lost her balance while retrieving her carryon bag from an overhead bin. The flight attendantÿfell against a seat arm rest near her right rib area. She was examined by paramedics and later escorted to a local hospital for further evaluation. An X-ray identified the flight attendant had sustained a fractured rib.ÿ The flight was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 domestic passenger flight from Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC) , Salt Lake City, Utah, with 2 pilots, 4 flight attendants and 173 passengers on board. After the event, the injured flight attendant stated they hadÿfinished their day in Denver and while retrievingÿher bag from the overhead binÿshe stepped backÿand lostÿher balance. She thought herÿfoot may have caught on the bar underneathÿa seat.ÿShe fell onto a row of seats making contact with an arm rest. She heard aÿcrack inÿher rib area and it was difficult to breathe.ÿ The “C” flight attendant got help, theÿcrew came back and paramedics were called. Probable Cause: the flight attendant losing her balance as she was removing her carry-on baggage resulted in her falling against an arm rest causing the serious injury.

Primary Cause

Flight attendant losing her balance while retrieving her carry-on baggage.Flight attendant losing her balance while retrieving her carry-on baggage.

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