A CRJ-900 Flight Attendant reported an overhead panel came loose during moderate turbulence and fell to the cabin floor. She further stated that these panels are often found to be partially unsecured during preflight checks.

Narrative

While climbing after takeoff we were in our jumpseats in moderate turbulence. I was the forward Flight Attendant and from my jumpseat I saw what appeared to be an overhead bin open and a large picture frame fall out. The aft Flight Attendant got out of her jumpseat and picked up the article and proceeded forward. I then realized it was not something out of the bin but a [ceiling] panel above the overhead bins that had fallen out and onto the floor.I met her around Row 4; took the panel and asked if anyone had been injured. I then called the flight deck. When the Captain answered I told him what happened and he asked if anyone was hit. I told him no; but I would double check and he told me to see if I could take care of the problem. I took the panel and went to the rear and asked if anyone had been hit by the panel and was told no by everyone around. I saw not only was the one panel missing but several more were ready to come out also especially at Rows 11 and 12. I replaced the panel and made sure it was secure and proceeded to fix the additional panels. I then advised the Captain that I had repaired the panel and that no passengers were injured. The Captain said I had done a great job and hung up. We then took seats in the forward galley area until the turbulence subsided a short time later. Sometime during the flight the Captain needed to use the restroom and so I took his place in the flight deck. I told the First Officer that I was sorry to call during the climb but I did not know how serious the situation was at the time. He told me that I could have waited. There are continuous problems with these panels. Almost every time I board a plane for flight I go through the cabin and repair these panels. Possibly some type of pin could be installed to keep them from separating and this problem would not occur again.