Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI93LA224

BARABOO, WI, USA

Aircraft #1

N579UA

BOEING 757-222

Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS DESCENDING ON A VECTOR FOR LANDING ON RUNWAY 14R AT CHICAGO O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. PASSING THROUGH FLIGHT LEVEL 290 THERE WAS A SHORT ENCOUNTER WITH MODERATE TURBULENCE WHILE STILL IN THE CLOUDS. ONE FLIGHT ATTENDANT FELL AND INJURED HER ANKLE DURING THE ENCOUNTER. WHEN SHE WAS TREATED FOR THE INJURY, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SHE HAD SUSTAINED A FRACTURED ANKLE.

Factual Information

On June 24, 1993 at 1229 central daylight time, a Boeing 757-222, N579UA, operated by United Airlines, Inc., as flight number 1218, encountered moderate turbulence in the clouds at flight level 290, over Baraboo, Wisconsin, while descending on a vector for an approach runway 14R at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The operator reported the seat belt sign was on, the weather radar was on, and the airplane was clear of any green returns on the radar. One flight attendant sustained serious injuries. There were no injuries to the two cockpit crewmembers, five other flight attendants, or 140 passengers aboard the airplane. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121, and originated at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at 0920. The destination was O'Hare Airport. An IFR flight plan was filed, and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. During the turbulence encounter, the flight attendant fell and injured her left ankle. She was treated for the injury on completion of the flight. The injury was diagnosed as a fractured ankle.

Probable Cause and Findings

an encounter with moderate turbulence in the clouds.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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