Incident Overview

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.Share on: