Incident Overview
On approach to Aruba, an aircraft experienced a turbulence event that resulted in injury to a flight attendant. The captain reported that the seat belt sign was illuminated and a public address was made requesting passengers to remain seated with fastened seat belts. The flight encountered brief moderate turbulence, according to the captain.
Flight Crew Accounts
The captain stated that the seat belt sign was on and a public address was made. The first officer, who was pilot-not-flying, confirmed that the captain had illuminated the seat belt sign and made a public address. The first officer added that he contacted the flight attendants, instructing them to stay seated. He then requested and received clearance to deviate around known weather ahead of the flight path. The first officer noted that the aircraft did not penetrate any weather as seen on the airplane's display, but they were in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and returned to visual meteorological conditions (VMC) momentarily. Another cloud appeared ahead without precipitation on the radar display. The first officer said there was insufficient time to maneuver, and the aircraft was within the cloud for about five seconds when the turbulence occurred.
Flight Attendant Accounts
One flight attendant stated that the time between the captain's announcement and the turbulence was only a few seconds. A second flight attendant recounted that she and two others were in the aft galley when the seat belt sign was turned on to indicate initial approach, about 20 minutes from Aruba. She noted normal light chop as they prepared the galley for landing. This flight attendant said that passengers were seated when suddenly severe turbulence occurred, causing the aircraft to drop and jolt several times. A third flight attendant reported that approximately 100 miles from Aruba, the captain turned on the seat belt sign and asked everyone to be seated. She noted that the two flight attendants in the back were cleaning and stowing catering items and were not seated.
Data Recorder Information
Examination of the flight data recorder revealed multiple vertical acceleration cycles between approximately positive 1.8 and 0.0 Gs associated with the event.