Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 7 November 2015
Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-9
Owner/operator: United Airlines
Registration Number: N27958
Location: Beaumont, Texas – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 221
Component Affected: Flight seatbelt sign and flight crew’s actions during descent.Flight seatbelt sign and flight crew’s actions during descent.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A flight experienced moderate turbulence during descent from FL350 to 12,000 feet, prompted by weather radar indications of precipitation. The crew advised passengers to complete service and seatbelt deployment. A severe turbulence event occurred, resulting in a flight attendant being lifted into the air and sustaining an ankle injury. Medical examination revealed a fractured ankle.A flight experienced moderate turbulence during descent from FL350 to 12,000 feet, prompted by weather radar indications of precipitation. The crew advised passengers to complete service and seatbelt deployment. A severe turbulence event occurred, resulting in a flight attendant being lifted into the air and sustaining an ankle injury. Medical examination revealed a fractured ankle.

Description

According to crew statements, the flight encountered light turbulence while deviating around areas of weather depicted on the onboard weather radar during descent from FL350 to 12,000 feet. Air Traffic Control (ATC) had also advised them of areas of precipitation shown on ATC radar. The seatbelt sign was turned on and the flight crew advised the cabin crew to complete service and be seated for arrival. The flight was returning on course after it appeared they were clear of significant weather when they encountered an area of moderate turbulence and briefly encountered what the crew characterized as severe turbulence. A flight attendant (FA) in the aft galley was lifted into the air and fell back down to the floor injuring her ankle. The flight crew was notified of the injury and they requested paramedics meet the airplane upon arrival. The FA was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured ankle. Probable Cause: An inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence resulting in serious injury to a flight attendant.

Primary Cause

Inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence.Inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence.

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