What happened
The aircraft was climbing toward its cruise altitude when it encountered significant atmospheric disturbance at approximately 20,500 feet mean sea level. At this moment, the flight experienced severe turbulence that resulted in injuries to one of the occupants.
The affected individual was a 73-year-old male passenger who was not seated and was not wearing a seatbelt. He had exited the restroom when the turbulence struck. The force of the disturbance was sufficient to break both of his ankles.
Following the incident, the flight crew decided to return to Seattle. Upon arrival, the injured passenger was deplaned and transported to a hospital for treatment.
Safety message
This event highlights the critical importance of remaining seated with seatbelts fastened during all phases of flight, particularly when turbulence warnings are active or when flying through areas prone to atmospheric instability.