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September 18, 2012 · Airbus Industrie A330-323 · N273AY

Sophia, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 18, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 158 uninjured
Location
Sophia, NC
Aircraft
Airbus Industrie A330-323
Tail Number
N273AY
Operator
Us Airways
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DCA12CA149

On September 18th, 2012 at approximately 1230 EDT, an Airbus A330, N273AY, operated by US Airways as flight 707 from Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) to Charlotte, NC (CLT) encountered severe turbulence on descent into CLT. During the encounter, a flight attendant was seriously injured. According to the operator, on descent into CLT the flight crew received an ACARS message from the company dispatcher handling the flight. The dispatcher indicated that a SIGMET was issued for the North Carolina area with strong winds and embedded thunderstorms. The International Relief Officer (IRO) contacted the flight attendants to advise them they would be entering an area of possible turbulence in approximately 15 minutes. An announcement was also made to the passengers over the public address system advising them to remain seated and fasten their seat belts. The seat belt sign was illuminated. The airplane was descending through approximately 16,000 feet when it entered the clouds and encountered moderate turbulence. In the cabin, the flight attendants began preparing the cabin for arrival after receiving the turbulence advisory from the IRO. Several flight attendants were still out of their seats collecting service items and securing the galley when the turbulence encounter occurred. The "C" flight attendant was securing the aft galley during the encounter. She was lifted into the air, fell back down onto the cabin floor, and landed on her back. The "D" and "G" flight attendants also sustained minor injuries. The flight crew contacted the flight attendants after the encounter and were notified of their injuries. The flight crew arranged for paramedics to meet the flight and remove the injured flight attendants. The "C" flight attendant received a fracture to the distal tibia at the medial and lateral malleoli.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On September 18th, 2012 at approximately 1230 EDT, an Airbus A330, N273AY, operated by US Airways as flight 707 from Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) to Charlotte, NC (CLT) encountered severe turbulence on descent into CLT. During the encounter, a flight attendant was seriously injured. According to the operator, on descent into CLT the flight crew received an ACARS message from the company dispatcher handling the flight. The dispatcher indicated that a SIGMET was issued for the North Carolina area with strong winds and embedded thunderstorms. The International Relief Officer (IRO) contacted the flight attendants to advise them they would be entering an area of possible turbulence in approximately 15 minutes. An announcement was also made to the passengers over the public address system advising them to remain seated and fasten their seat belts. The seat belt sign was illuminated. The airplane was descending through approximately 16,000 feet when it entered the clouds and encountered moderate turbulence. In the cabin, the flight attendants began preparing the cabin for arrival after receiving the turbulence advisory from the IRO. Several flight attendants were still out of their seats collecting service items and securing the galley when the turbulence encounter occurred. The "C" flight attendant was securing the aft galley during the encounter. She was lifted into the air, fell back down onto the cabin floor, and landed on her back. The "D" and "G" flight attendants also sustained minor injuries. The flight crew contacted the flight attendants after the encounter and were notified of their injuries. The flight crew arranged for paramedics to meet the flight and remove the injured flight attendants. The "C" flight attendant received a fracture to the distal tibia at the medial and lateral malleoli.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EDT
Nearest AirportCharlotte-Douglas (50nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirbus Industrie A330-323
Tail NumberN273AY
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorUs Airways
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP & W · PW4168A · Turbofan · 68600 | P & W · PW4168A · Turbofan · 68600
Seats379

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 158 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured158
Total159
Crew 1Age 64 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 56 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 12 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.76 inHg
Observation Time16:47
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data