Incident Details
During an arrival descent, an airplane encountered an updraft while descending through 12,000 feet at 280 to 290 knots. The captain reported that the aircraft had just entered the cloud tops when the updraft occurred, lasting about 2 seconds. The cockpit crew was then informed that a flight attendant in the rear of the airplane was thrown off her feet and injured. A passenger who was in the lavatory at the time reported hitting his head.
Injuries and Response
The flight attendant suffered serious injuries, including broken ribs, a fractured wrist, and pelvic fractures. She was transported to a hospital for treatment. The passenger, who refused treatment, sustained a minor injury. The flight crew declared an emergency and was immediately cleared for an approach. After an uneventful landing, medical personnel met the aircraft.
Environmental Factors
According to crewmembers, the seatbelt sign was illuminated when the turbulence occurred. Although no storms were present along the flight path, SIGMETs had been issued for severe storms in the surrounding area. Approximately 15 minutes after this incident, another aircraft reported severe turbulence along the same route.