Flight Attendant Injury During TCAS Resolution Maneuver

Casualties unknown • Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

A flight crew performed an emergency climb following a TCAS alert, resulting in a flight attendant sustaining a broken leg during the maneuver.

What happened

While cruising at 4,000 feet, the flight crew received a traffic report from Air Traffic Control. Due to instrument meteorological conditions, the crew was unable to visually identify the reported traffic.

Approximately three minutes after the initial report, the aircraft's Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) issued an alert instructing the crew to climb. In response to the alert, the pilot initiated a climb from 4,000 feet, eventually leveling off at 5,300 feet.

During this period of ascent, two flight attendants were standing in the cabin performing pre-landing duties. The motion of the climb caused both attendants to fall. One flight attendant sustained a broken leg, while the other was not injured.

The pilot notified Air Traffic Control that an ambulance would be required at the destination airport. The aircraft landed without further incident, and the injured crew member was transported to a local hospital.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-12-01 Aerospatiale ATR-72-212 accident near Fort Lauderdale, FL?

A flight crew performed an emergency climb following a TCAS alert, resulting in a flight attendant sustaining a broken leg during the maneuver.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-12-01 involved a Aerospatiale ATR-72-212, registration N414WF, at Fort Lauderdale, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

an abrupt maneuver in response to a traffic avoidance system alert, resulting in a flight attendant falling and breaking a leg.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11597. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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