Incident Overview
On May 14, 2016, at approximately 1900 Eastern Daylight Time, American Airlines flight 762, an Airbus A320 (registration N103US), was descending into Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a scheduled passenger service from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD), Chicago, Illinois. On board were 136 passengers and 5 crew members.
Sequence of Events
During the descent into KPHL, the flight crew notified the flight attendants and made a public address announcement that there might be possible turbulence. According to the flight crew, there were no pilot reports of any turbulence ahead and no cells were noted on the weather radar. Shortly after making the announcement, the flight experienced moderate chop for a minute or two. The flight crew reduced airspeed and advised air traffic control of the moderate chop.
The C flight attendant was sitting in his aft jumpseat when the turbulence was encountered. He was tossed into the air and back down, causing him to crush his left hand in the jumpseat. The flight crew was informed of his injury, and they coordinated for medical personnel to meet the airplane upon arrival at KPHL.
Injuries
The injured flight attendant was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken left hand. No other injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.