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September 6, 2011 · Boeing 737 7H4 7H4 · N936WN

Cape Coral, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 141 uninjured
Location
Cape Coral, FL
Aircraft
Boeing 737 7H4 7H4 (2009)
Tail Number
N936WN
Operator
Southwest Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DCA11CA116

On September 6, 2011, at about 1209 EDT, Southwest Airlines flight 983, a B737-700, N936WN, encountered turbulence enroute from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Of the five crew members and 137 passengers on board, one flight attendant received seriously injuries. The airplane was not damaged. According to flight crew statements, air traffic control informed them to expect turbulence from thunderstorms in mid to south Florida. In preparation for the possibility of turbulence, the captain called the flight attendants (FA) and advised them to close the galleys and to be seated and that they would likely be able to complete the cabin cleanup after clearing the weather at 10,000 feet. The flight deviated west of the weather and mostly smooth conditions were experienced for about 20 minutes during the descent. As the flight descended below about 14,000 feet, the flight momentarily encountered "large bumps" and two FAs were thrown to the floor after having just gotten out of their jump seats to finish cleaning up the aft galley. As a result, one FA experienced severe pain in her leg and was unable to complete her duties for the remainder of the flight. The captain was immediately informed of the injured FAs condition and medical assistance was requested to meet the airplane at the gate. After an uneventful landing, the FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken leg.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-Convective turbulence-Effect on personnel - C

Full Narrative

On September 6, 2011, at about 1209 EDT, Southwest Airlines flight 983, a B737-700, N936WN, encountered turbulence enroute from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Of the five crew members and 137 passengers on board, one flight attendant received serious injuries. The airplane was not damaged. According to flight crew statements, air traffic control informed them to expect turbulence from thunderstorms in mid to south Florida. In preparation for the possibility of turbulence, the captain called the flight attendants (FA) and advised them to close the galleys and to be seated and that they would likely be able to complete the cabin cleanup after clearing the weather at 10,000 feet. The flight deviated west of the weather and mostly smooth conditions were experienced for about 20 minutes during the descent. As the flight descended below about 14,000 feet, the flight momentarily encountered "large bumps" and two FAs were thrown to the floor after having just gotten out of their jump seats to finish cleaning up the aft galley. As a result, one FA experienced severe pain in her leg and was unable to complete her duties for the remainder of the flight. The captain was immediately informed of the injured FAs condition and medical assistance was requested to meet the airplane at the gate. After an uneventful landing, the FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken leg.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:09 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737 7H4 7H4
Tail NumberN936WN
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorSouthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm Intl · CFM56-7B24/3 · Turbofan · 24000 | Cfm Intl · CFM56-7B24/3 · Turbofan · 24000
Seats145

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 141 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured141
Total142
Crew 1Age 58 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 38 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data