No fatalities

Flight Attendant Injuries During Turbulence on Descent (N956UA)

Denver, CO, US

On November 1, 2003, a Boeing 737-500 (registration N956UA) operated by United Air Lines Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Denver, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the in-flight encounter with heavy to moderate turbulence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-21Data APIEditorial standards
Boeing 737-500
Photo: San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Two flight attendants were injured, one seriously, when a commercial aircraft encountered moderate to heavy turbulence while descending through flight level 210.

What happened

The incident occurred during the descent phase of a commercial flight. At flight level 240, the captain instructed the cabin crew to return to their seats in preparation for landing. Shortly thereafter, as the aircraft descended to flight level 210, it encountered turbulence ranging from moderate to heavy intensity.

The sudden movement caused injuries to two members of the cabin crew. One flight attendant sustained minor injuries, while another received serious injuries. Despite these incidents within the cabin, the airplane continued its flight path to Denver without any further mechanical issues or additional safety concerns.

All Boeing 737-500 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Nov 2003 Boeing 737-500 accident near Denver, CO?

Two flight attendants were injured, one seriously, when a commercial aircraft encountered moderate to heavy turbulence while descending through flight level 210.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Nov 2003 Boeing 737-500 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Nov 2003 involved a Boeing 737-500, registration N956UA, operated by United Air Lines Inc, at Denver, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the in-flight encounter with heavy to moderate turbulence.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20031105X01865. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.