Incident Overview
On December 13, 2016, at 1847 mountain standard time, United Airlines flight 1545, a Boeing 737-800 (registration N24202), experienced turbulence during its descent into Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado. The flight, operating as a regularly scheduled passenger service under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, had departed from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California.
Conditions and Crew Actions
Weather forecasts available to the operator indicated that mountain wave turbulence was expected over the Sierra Nevada mountains, with moderate turbulence forecast for the descent into DEN below 17,000 feet. As the aircraft descended through approximately flight level (FL) 270, the captain informed the flight attendants that conditions would become bumpy and instructed them to be seated.
Turbulence Event and Injuries
The flight crew reported that while passing through approximately FL220, the aircraft began experiencing increasing turbulence. At about FL200, a significant jolt occurred. At that time, the flight attendant positioned at station 2L was securing the galley. She was thrown to the ceiling and then struck her face on the galley counter upon falling to the floor. The flight attendant sustained multiple injuries, including a large gash to her cheek and a fractured facial bone.
Outcome
No other passengers or crew members were injured, and the aircraft was not damaged. The flight continued its descent and landed at Denver International Airport without further incident.