Probable cause
An in-flight encounter with turbulence, which resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.
NTSB analysis
While descending into the destination airfield, the crew deviated course to avoid thunderstorms as turbulence was expected. The flight crew warned the flight attendants and passengers of anticipated turbulence. The captain reported that the airplane then experienced "light chop with areas of moderate to sever[e] turbulence." During the encounter, a flight attendant who was in the aft galley securing a beverage cart fell on her left side and fractured her ankle.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA106 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 27, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Kansas City International (KMCI)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
Embraer ERJ 170-10
- N-number
- N871RW
- Category
- Airplane
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.