Incident Overview
During an en-route descent, air traffic control advised the flight crew of possible severe turbulence. The captain subsequently briefed the flight attendant about the potential for turbulence and turned on the "Fasten Seatbelt/No Smoking" sign. Shortly after, the airplane encountered severe turbulence.
Flight Attendant's Experience
The flight attendant stated he was out of his seat when he heard the seatbelt chime. He returned to his seat but was unable to fasten his seatbelt before the turbulence hit and was thrown about the cabin. The flight crew heard him screaming but could not attend to him due to more demanding flight duties.
Post-Event Actions
The flight crew requested priority handling to the airport and asked for emergency equipment to stand by. Upon landing, the flight attendant was taken to a local hospital, where X-rays revealed a fractured ankle bone. The flight attendant reported no recollection of being briefed by the flight crew about the possibility of turbulence.
Investigation Notes
The incident highlights the challenges of securing cabin crew during short-notice turbulence. The flight attendant's inability to fasten his seatbelt before the turbulence encounter resulted in injury.