On April 15, 2006, a Bombardier, Inc. CL600-2B19 (registration N934EV) was involved in an aviation accident near Front Royal, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Encounter with clear air turbulence while maneuvering to avoid a weather cell, which resulted in serious injury to a flight attendant who was out of her seat. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A flight attendant sustained serious injuries after being thrown against the cabin ceiling during clear air turbulence while the aircraft was maneuvering to avoid a weather cell.
What happened
The aircraft was operating at flight level 250 when it encountered clear air turbulence. The crew was actively maneuvering the airplane to avoid a weather cell in the area. During this period of instability, a flight attendant who was out of her assigned seat was thrown upward toward the ceiling. She subsequently fell back to the cabin floor, sustaining serious injuries. The aircraft continued its flight and landed at the destination airport approximately 15 minutes later without any further incidents or complications.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the injury was the encounter with clear air turbulence while the crew was maneuvering to avoid a weather cell. The flight attendant was not secured in her seat at the time of the event.
Probable cause
Encounter with clear air turbulence while maneuvering to avoid a weather cell, which resulted in serious injury to a flight attendant who was out of her seat.