Accident McDonnell Douglas MD-83 N590AA,
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Date:Sunday 22 December 1996
Time:13:12 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic MD83 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
McDonnell Douglas MD-83
Owner/operator:American Airlines
Registration: N590AA
MSN: 53253/1919
Year of manufacture:1991
Engine model:P&W JT8D-217
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 121
Aircraft damage: None
Category:Accident
Location:San Jose, CA -   United States of America
Phase: Unknown
Nature:Unknown
Departure airport:Chicago, IL (KORD)
Destination airport:(KSJC)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The flight had been in moderate chop for some time during the initial descent. The cabin seat belt sign had been illuminated for about 20 minutes and all passengers were secure in their seats. The cabin crew had just completed a beverage service and were stowing galley equipment at the time. As the aircraft was descending through 17,500 feet one severe turbulence jolt was experienced. The injured cabin crew members were standing in the aft galley; one was able to grab a hand hold while the other one was thrown against the ceiling and back to the floor. The cabin attendant who was thrown to the ceiling sustained a compound fracture of one ankle, which required surgery to repair. The second cabin attendant was treated at the hospital for soft tissue injuries and released. Review of the weather reports disclosed that SIGMET Papa 13 was issued at 221656 and forecast moderate to occasional severe turbulence in the southern portions of California below 18,000 feet. Center weather advisories 01 and 02 were in effect for the time and location of the encounter and predicted moderate to occasional severe turbulence below 22,000 feet. The dispatch weather package provided to the flight crew at Chicago was reviewed. The date/time group for the package preparation was noted to be 221501, prior to the issuance of SIGMET Papa 13 and both center weather advisories. No SIGMETS were noted for the terminal portions of the flight.

Probable Cause: The flight's encounter with severe turbulence while the injured cabin crew was standing.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: LAX97LA072
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 1 year and 3 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB LAX97LA072

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
13-Mar-2024 06:43 ASN Update Bot Added

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