Flight Attendant Injured by Turbulence During Weather Avoidance

Casualties unknown • Cross City, FL, US

A flight attendant sustained serious injuries due to moderate turbulence encountered while an aircraft was maneuvering to avoid a thunderstorm.

What happened

While operating at flight level 330, the crew of a Boeing aircraft (type not specified) performed a rightward deviation from their flight path to avoid a nearby thunderstorm rated at level 6 intensity. During this maneuver, the aircraft encountered moderate turbulence lasting approximately one second.

The turbulence resulted in one serious injury to a flight attendant. According to the captain's report, the seat belt sign was not illuminated at the time of the encounter.

Approximately two minutes following the event, the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center Weather Service Unit issued a center weather advisory. This advisory described a thunderstorm characterized by moderate rain with tops reaching flight level 450 and a diameter of 20 nautical miles. When plotted, the center of this storm was located roughly 23 nautical miles from the site of the accident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-10-02 Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 accident near Cross City, FL?

A flight attendant sustained serious injuries due to moderate turbulence encountered while an aircraft was maneuvering to avoid a thunderstorm.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-10-02 involved a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82, registration N33502, at Cross City, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The in-flight encounter with turbulence associated with a nearby level 6 thunderstorm with moderate rain while deviating.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X09076. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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