On June 6, 1991, a Boeing 737-3G7 (registration N304AW) operated by America West Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Elko, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: AN UNSECURED CART. THE FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TURBULENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 10 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During cruise, a flight attendant placed a coffee pot on a snack cart positioned in front of row 1. The cart fell over, spilling hot coffee on a passenger seated in row 1B, causing serious burns.
Incident Overview
While in cruise flight, a flight attendant prepared the snack cart for service. A pot of coffee was placed on top of the cart. The attendant positioned the cart in front of row 1 and then returned to the galley to fill a drink order. Shortly afterward, the attendant heard a loud noise and turned around to find that the cart had fallen over toward row 1. The pot of coffee spilled on a passenger seated in row 1B. The passenger was seriously burned by the coffee.
Facts
The event occurred during cruise flight.
A flight attendant placed a pot of coffee on top of the snack cart.
The cart was positioned in front of row 1.
The attendant left the cart to fill a drink order in the galley.
A loud noise was heard as the cart fell over toward row 1.
Coffee spilled on a passenger in seat 1B.
The passenger sustained serious burns from the hot coffee.
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