| Date: | Thursday 29 September 2022 |
| Time: | 09:30 LT |
| Type: | Boeing 737-7CT (WL) |
| Owner/operator: | Southwest Airlines |
| Registration: | N7881A |
| MSN: | 35084/2564 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2008 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 46926 hours |
| Engine model: | CFMI CFM56-7B24 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 141 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Denver International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN) -
United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Kansas City International Airport, MO (MCI/KMCI) |
| Destination airport: | Denver International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:Southwest Airlines flight WN48 encountered turbulence during cruise. One flight attendant sustained serious injuries. The airplane was not damaged.
According to the flight attendant, as she was pouring coffee into cups while in the front galley, the airplane encountered very light turbulence which she described as a ‘very light bump'. During the event, the coffee pot flipped over and spilled coffee onto the back of her hand, resulting in 2nd degree burns. After the event, the captain called back to the cabin to apologize for the turbulence and advised that it was unexpected. The flight attendant continued duties after the event, and there was no further turbulence.
Prior to the flight, the captain discussed the possibility of turbulence during the preflight briefing, however the turbulence associated with the event was unannounced and unexpected.
Probable Cause: An encounter with clear air turbulence during cruise flight.
Accident investigation:
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| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Report number: | DCA23LA008 |
| Status: | Investigation completed |
| Duration: | 6 months |
| Download report: | Final report
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Sources:
NTSB DCA23LA008
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
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