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| Date: | Thursday 9 January 2014 |
| Time: | 19:30 LT |
| Type: |  Boeing 737-7H4 (WL) |
| Owner/operator: | Southwest Airlines |
| Registration: | N966WN |
| MSN: | 36966/3788 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2011 |
| Engine model: | CFMI CFM56-7B24E |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 145 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Nashville, Tennessee -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Washington-Dulles International Airport, DC (IAD/KIAD) |
| Fort Myers-Southwest Florida International Airport, FL (RSW/KRSW) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
While preparing coffee service in the aft galley, the C flight attendant (FA) observed the coffee maker emitting an unusual noise and coffee was pooling on the burner. The FA lifted the potlocking lever on the coffee pot and hot coffee and coffee grounds erupted onto her face, neck, and chest. The flight diverted and landed at Nashville International Airport, Nashville, Tennessee where medical personnel met the flight at the gate. The FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with second-degree burns.
In January of 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration issued Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) 13001, which addressed reported cases of coffee filter packages bursting in flight during coffee preparation, resulting in 1st and 2nd degree burns to flight attendants and bystanders. The SAFO encouraged air carriers and operators to add cautionary instructions and procedures to the Flight Attendant Manual (FAM) and training program, warning crew members of the dangers to personnel and equipment.
Probable Cause: A buildup of pressure in the coffee filter package resulting in the release of hot coffee and grounds when the potlocking lever was raised, which resulted in 2nd degree burns.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB DCA14CA035
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 27 November 2023 | N966WN | Southwest Airlines | 0 | SE of Las Vegas, NV | |
non |
| Inflight fire | ||||||
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 02-Jun-2023 14:55 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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