Flight Crew Communication Failure Led to Cabin Crew Injury During Turbulence

Casualties unknown • Rionegro, CO

A United Airlines Boeing 757 encountered moderate turbulence over Colombia, resulting in a serious injury to a flight attendant due to insufficient warning time.

What happened

On November 28, 2017, a United Airlines Boeing 757-224, registration N14115, was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Houston Intercontinental (KIAH) to Bogotá (SKBO). The flight was carrying 151 passengers and 7 crew members.

During the descent phase, the flight crew identified weather cells on the navigation display near the RNG VOR that had not been forecasted during flight planning. In response, the pilots initiated a left deviation to avoid the convective activity. As the aircraft reached FL250 near the ISVAT intersection, it encountered moderate turbulence.

While the aircraft maintained control, the sudden vertical acceleration caused a flight attendant in the aft galley to fall, resulting in a serious injury (a fractured right femur). Two medical professionals traveling as passengers provided immediate assistance to stabilize the crew member until the aircraft landed safely in Bogotá.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-11-28 757-200 accident near Rionegro, CO?

A United Airlines Boeing 757 encountered moderate turbulence over Colombia, resulting in a serious injury to a flight attendant due to insufficient warning time.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-11-28 involved a 757-200, registration N14115, at Rionegro, CO.

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