No fatalities

Flight Attendant Fractures Foot After Tripping Over Passenger's Leg

Las Vegas, NV, United States

On October 17, 2012, a BOEING 737-3H4 operated by Southwest Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Las Vegas, NV. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight attendant's encounter with an unseen obstruction in the aisle, which resulted in a fall. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 17 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards
BOEING 737-3H4
Photo: San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A Southwest Airlines flight attendant sustained a metatarsal fracture in her left foot after tripping over a passenger's leg protruding into the aisle during cruise.

Incident Overview

Southwest Airlines reported an incident that occurred during a flight from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Las Vegas, Nevada. While at cruising altitude, a flight attendant conducting beverage service tripped over a passenger's leg that was protruding into the aisle. The fall caused the flight attendant to experience pain in her knee and foot.

Medical Response and Injuries

Following the fall, the flight attendant did not resume her cabin duties for the remainder of the flight. After landing, she self-reported to a local hospital, where medical examination revealed a fractured metatarsal in her left foot.

Operational Context

The airline stated that there were no mechanical difficulties or anomalies with the airplane during the flight. The event was not related to turbulence. No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or crew composition have been disclosed.

Contributing factors

Causes

Effect on personnel

Other contributing factors

Cabin crew

All Boeing 737-800 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Oct 2012 BOEING 737-3H4 accident near Las Vegas, NV?

A Southwest Airlines flight attendant sustained a metatarsal fracture in her left foot after tripping over a passenger's leg protruding into the aisle during cruise.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Oct 2012 BOEING 737-3H4 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Oct 2012 involved a BOEING 737-3H4, operated by Southwest Airlines, at Las Vegas, NV.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The flight attendant's encounter with an unseen obstruction in the aisle, which resulted in a fall.