Incident Overview
During a scheduled descent from cruise altitude, the cockpit crew notified the second and third flight attendants via intercom that turbulence was anticipated during the descent for landing. The crew instructed the flight attendants to secure the cabin and be seated.
Sequence of Events
The second flight attendant informed the first flight attendant, who then focused on securing the first-class cabin. The second flight attendant proceeded through the cabin from front to rear, carrying a trash bag, picking up service items and verifying that passenger seat belts were fastened.
Upon reaching the rear of the cabin, turbulence was encountered. The second and third flight attendants, the latter working in the rear galley, took their seats and fastened their seat belts. After approximately one to two minutes of moderate turbulence, the event ceased.
Believing the turbulence had passed, both flight attendants rose to finish their tasks in the aft galley. However, additional turbulence was then encountered. The second flight attendant fell to the floor of the galley. The third flight attendant also fell and landed on the foot of the second attendant, fracturing the second attendant's ankle.
Flight Data Recorder Information
Flight data recorder output showed that during one point in the descent, vertical acceleration values varied from 0.65 g to 2.02 g over a one-second period.