Accident McDonnell Douglas MD-81 N814ME, Thursday 7 August 2003

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Date:	Thursday 7 August 2003
Time:	14:49 LT
Type:	McDonnell Douglas MD-81
Owner/operator:	Midwest Airlines
Registration:	N814ME
MSN:	48010/992
Year of manufacture:	1981
Total airframe hrs:	45993 hours
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217C
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 118
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	None
Category:	Accident
Location:	Greeley, CO - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:	San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO/KSFO)
Destination airport:	Kansas City International Airport, MO (MCI/KMCI)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
During cruise flight at 33,000 feet, the aircraft encountered moderate to severe turbulence. The flight was deviating to the south of course to avoid weather. Upon breaking out of a cloud layer, the captain noted a cumulous cloud ahead that could not be avoided. Upon entering the cloud, they encountered severe turbulence, causing serious injury to 2 flight attendants and minor injuries to 3 passengers. Turbulence had not been forecasted. The seat belt sign had been illuminated for approximately 20 minutes.

Probable Cause: the inflight encounter with severe turbulence.

Accident investigation: