On April 14, 2004, a Boeing 737-700 (registration N448WN) was involved in an aviation accident near Beach Haven, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An encounter with turbulence during cruise flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A flight attendant sustained a fractured ankle after falling while attempting to return to their seat during moderate turbulence encountered at 21,000 feet.
What happened
The aircraft was operating in cruise flight conditions when it encountered moderate turbulence. At the time of the incident, the airplane was flying at an altitude of 21,000 feet. All passengers remained seated throughout the event, and the fasten seatbelt sign was illuminated to signal the hazardous conditions.
In response to the turbulence, cabin crew members were instructed to take their own seats. While one flight attendant was attempting to sit down, they lost their balance and fell to the floor of the cabin. The fall resulted in a fractured ankle for the injured crew member.
