A320 flight crew reports encountering turbulence; which is the subject of a SIGMET. The seatbelt sign is turned on and the flight attendants are asked to be seated prior to encountering moderate turbulence. On a subsequent leg; a Flight Attendant reports that he was injured by this turbulence.
Synopsis
A320 flight crew reports encountering turbulence; which is the subject of a SIGMET. The seatbelt sign is turned on and the flight attendants are asked to be seated prior to encountering moderate turbulence. On a subsequent leg; a Flight Attendant reports that he was injured by this turbulence.
Narrative
We received a SIGMET on the printer from Dispatch and mapped the area on secondary flight plan page. We were west of the enclosed area; but were hearing reports of light to moderate chop between FL350 and FL320. We turned on seatbelt sign and First Officer made an announcement. I called both ends of the cabin simultaneously to alert to chop in descent and told them to pack up. We were given [pilot's discretion] to FL200 and upon pulling for open descent we encountered light turbulence. I used the PA to seat the flight attendants before descending; passing FL350; and prior to any moderate chop. We had about 2 minutes of light to moderate chop and descended into smooth air for the duration of the flight. After landing; we debriefed with the lead Flight Attendant about an altercation with a Customer Service Agent prior to departure and were not told of any injuries from the chop on descent. Upon descent on a subsequent leg; we were alerted via ACARS to call the Duty Manager and only after landing did we learn that a Flight Attendant on the turbulence flight suffered an injury.
Second reporter narrative
The evening after the flight; the Duty Manager informed the Captain that a Flight Attendant reported a 'turbulence' injury during our flight. We did receive a SIGMET via ACARS/Dispatch. I entered the fixes into the secondary FMS flight plan and displayed the SIGMET 'box' on my display. Our route of flight was outside the box to the west. We were in smooth air in cruise at FL360. Flights ahead of us were reporting poor rides. We decided to try a lower altitude before we reached the turbulence reported ahead of us. The Captain turned on the seatbelt sign and I requested a descent from ATC. We were cleared via pilot discretion to FL200 [and] we started down. Rides were reported to be smooth below FL320. During our descent; passing FL350; our ride started to get choppy. Captain got on the PA for the flight attendants to take their seats while I made a turbulence report to ATC. After the PA; we encountered moderate chop in the descent. The ride was smooth below FL320 and we continued to destination uneventfully. During a post flight debrief with the lead Flight Attendant; on another issue; he made no mention of any problems or injuries to passengers or other crew members.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.