Incident Details
During cruise flight at flight level 330, the flight crew deviated to the right to avoid a nearby thunderstorm of level 6 intensity. While maneuvering, the aircraft encountered turbulence that seriously injured a flight attendant. According to the captain, the turbulence was moderate and lasted approximately one second. At the time of the encounter, the seat belt sign was not illuminated.
Weather Conditions
About two minutes after the incident, the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center Weather Service Unit issued a center weather advisory. The advisory indicated a thunderstorm with moderate rain, tops reaching flight level 450, and a diameter of 20 nautical miles. When plotted, the location of this thunderstorm was approximately 23 nautical miles from the accident location.