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December 23, 2015 · Boeing 737 7H4 7H4 · N475WN

Charlotte, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 23, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 141 uninjured
Location
Charlotte, NC
Aircraft
Boeing 737 7H4 7H4 (2004)
Tail Number
N475WN
Operator
Southwest Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
DCA16CA053

On December 23, 2015, at about 00:30 central daylight time, Southwest Airlines flight 834, a Boeing 737-700, N475WN, encountered clear air turbulence while descending for approach to Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. Of the 142 passengers and crewmembers onboard, one flight attendant received serious injuries and the airplane was not damaged. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Chicago Midway Intl (KMDW), Chicago, Illinois, to KCLT. At the time of the turbulence encounter, the "B" flight attendant (FA) was securing the galley for landing when she was thrown into the air and landed on the metal part of the galley. She was unable to stand back up on her own and required assistance from the other FAs. After landing the injured FA was transported to a local hospital upon arrival to KCLT where she was diagnosed with a broken foot

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On December 23, 2015, at about 0130 eastern standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 834, a Boeing 737-700, N475WN, encountered clear air turbulence while descending for approach to Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. Of the 142 passengers and crewmembers onboard, one flight attendant received serious injuries and the airplane was not damaged. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Chicago Midway Intl (KMDW), Chicago, Illinois, to KCLT. At the time of the turbulence encounter, the "B" flight attendant (FA) was securing the galley for landing when she was thrown into the air and landed on the metal part of the galley. She was unable to stand back up on her own and required assistance from the other FAs. After landing the injured FA was transported to a local hospital upon arrival to KCLT where she was diagnosed with a broken foot

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:16 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737 7H4 7H4
Tail NumberN475WN
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorSouthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm Intl. · CFM56 SERIES · Turbofan · 24000 | Cfm Intl. · CFM56 SERIES · Turbofan · 24000
Seats151

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 141 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured141
Total142
Crew 1Age 64 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 47 · First Class · None
Crew 3None
Crew 4Serious

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightNight
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time09:52

Appendix: Source Data