Accident Boeing 757-2G7 N909AW, Tuesday 11 January 2000

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Date:	Tuesday 11 January 2000
Time:	22:51 LT
Type:	Boeing 757-2G7
Owner/operator:	America West Airlines
Registration:	N909AW
MSN:	24522/252
Year of manufacture:	1989
Engine model:	Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 44
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	None
Category:	Accident
Location:	Las Vegas, NV - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:	Columbus, OH ( CMH)
Destination airport:	(KLAS)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
One flight attendant sustained serious injuries and another sustained minor injuries when the airplane encountered moderate to severe turbulence while in cruise flight at 35,000 feet. Approximately 2 hours from landing, the flight crew called the flight attendants to inform them that turbulence was expected (based on ATC ride reports) and to secure the cabin and galleys. The flight crew said the airplane had been slowed to 0.78 Mach when turbulence was encountered. One flight attendant, now in seat 34C, did not fasten her seatbelt immediately. She was lifted into the air during the encounter. She hit the overhead compartment and fell on an armrest and then to the floor.

Probable Cause: Encounter with Clear Air Turbulence. Poor communication between the captain and flight attendants as to the urgency for the flight attendants to take their seats was a contributing factor.

Accident investigation: