23 Dec 2015: BOEING 737 7H4 7H4 — Southwest Airlines Co.

23 Dec 2015: BOEING 737 7H4 7H4 (N475WN) — Southwest Airlines Co.

No fatalities • Charlotte, NC, United States

Probable cause

An inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

On December 23, 2015, at about 0130 eastern standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 834, a Boeing 737-700, N475WN, encountered clear air turbulence while descending for approach to Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. Of the 142 passengers and crewmembers onboard, one flight attendant received serious injuries and the airplane was not damaged. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Chicago Midway Intl (KMDW), Chicago, Illinois, to KCLT.

At the time of the turbulence encounter, the "B" flight attendant (FA) was securing the galley for landing when she was thrown into the air and landed on the metal part of the galley. She was unable to stand back up on her own and required assistance from the other FAs.

After landing the injured FA was transported to a local hospital upon arrival to KCLT where she was diagnosed with a broken foot

Contributing factors

cause Effect on personnel

Conditions

Weather: IMC, wind 160/07kt, vis 7sm

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