Incident Overview
On November 20, 2016, at about 2223 eastern standard time, Delta Air Lines flight 1982, a Boeing 717-200 (registration N930AT), was in cruise flight en route to LaGuardia International Airport (KLGA) in Queens, New York. The flight had departed from Miami International Airport (KMIA) in Miami, Florida, as a regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. On board were 114 passengers and crew; one flight attendant sustained a serious injury, while all others were uninjured.
Circumstances of the Injury
According to crew statements, the airplane was cruising at flight level 330 with no turbulence. The lead flight attendant reported that after stooping to retrieve an item from a lower shelf, she stood up and struck her right middle ribcage with "full force" against the edge of the galley retractable table, which had been pulled out without her awareness. The impact caused excruciating pain and made breathing difficult.
Immediate Actions and Aftermath
The captain was promptly informed of the injury and arranged for paramedics to meet the aircraft upon arrival at the gate. Because the injured flight attendant could not complete her duties, the crew enlisted a nonrevenue "deadheading" flight attendant to occupy her jumpseat position during landing. After landing, the injured flight attendant was transported to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a broken rib.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not assign a probable cause for the event.