Incident Overview
During descent, flight crew observed a line of clouds ahead of the airplane. After entering the clouds, the flight encountered turbulence. Flight data recorder (FDR) data indicated the airplane was level at 14,000 feet at approximately 280 knots when there was an approximately 10-second period of fluctuations in both vertical and lateral acceleration. Vertical acceleration fluctuated between about +0.426 g and +1.723 g, and lateral acceleration fluctuated from about +0.156 g to -0.211 g.
Cabin Events
According to flight attendant statements, the flight encountered three "jolts" of turbulence about 30 minutes before landing. At the time of the turbulence, one flight attendant was assisting a passenger with a drink in the aft galley. The flight attendant braced herself during the turbulence; however, a passenger standing by the galley fell onto the flight attendant's left lower leg, pinning her to the floor. The flight attendant was assisted into the last row of seats in the cabin, where she remained for the rest of the flight. The passenger required assistance to return to her seat.
Seatbelt Sign Discrepancy
The flight crew indicated that the seatbelt sign was selected on about 5 minutes prior to the turbulence encounter; however, no public address (PA) announcement was made. The flight attendants reported that the seatbelt sign was not turned on until after a flight attendant called the flight deck after the turbulence encounter.
Aftermath
The flight crew advised air traffic control (ATC) of the injuries and requested paramedics meet the airplane at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The injured flight attendant was transported to a hospital and diagnosed with two acute fractures of the left fibula.