Incident Overview
An aircraft operating a scheduled flight experienced a severe clear air turbulence encounter during cruise at flight level 330 (FL330), resulting in injuries to one flight attendant and two passengers. The flight crew had earlier descended from FL370 after air traffic control advised of occasional severe turbulence at that altitude along the route.
Sequence of Events
While in normal cruise at FL370, the flight crew was informed by Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) personnel that other aircraft were encountering occasional severe turbulence at FL370 along their route of flight. In response, the crew initiated a descent to FL330 to avoid the turbulent conditions.
Later, with the aircraft cruising at FL330 and the seat belt sign turned off, the aircraft encountered "severe chop with severe turbulence, in clear air." During this unexpected encounter, one flight attendant and two passengers sustained injuries. The aircraft continued to its destination without further incident.
No other details regarding the aircraft, operator, or specific flight have been provided in the official report.