Boeing 737 7H4 N481WN accident near San Jose, California

Probable cause

an inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence during descent.

NTSB analysis

On December 11, 2014, about 0830 pacific standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 154, a Boeing B737-7H4, N481WN, encountered turbulence during descent into Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, San Jose, California (SJC). The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 as a domestic passenger flight that originated from Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California (LAX) to.

According to crew statements, the flight crew instructed the flight attendants (FA) to secure the cabin early due to anticipated storms and turbulence around SJC. The "B" FA stated that as she was cleaning the aft galley when the airplane experienced "several jolts" of turbulence. She indicated that, while turning to sit down on the aft jumpseat, she twisted her left foot. The FA further stated that she was able to perform all required duties through the remainder of the flight and thought she only had a mild sprain. She did not inform the flight crew or other FAs of her injury. After a week of continued pain and swelling she visited a podiatrist and was diagnosed with two fractured metatarsals in her left foot.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA15CA050 for the full record.