Probable cause
An inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence.
NTSB analysis
On December 23, 2015, at about 00:30 central daylight time, Southwest Airlines flight 834, a Boeing 737-700, N475WN, encountered clear air turbulence while descending for approach to Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. Of the 142 passengers and crewmembers onboard, one flight attendant received serious injuries and the airplane was not damaged. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Chicago Midway Intl (KMDW), Chicago, Illinois, to KCLT.
At the time of the turbulence encounter, the "B" flight attendant (FA) was securing the galley for landing when she was thrown into the air and landed on the metal part of the galley. She was unable to stand back up on her own and required assistance from the other FAs.
After landing the injured FA was transported to a local hospital upon arrival to KCLT where she was diagnosed with a broken foot
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA16CA053 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 23, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC)
- Light
- Night
Boeing 737 7H4
- N-number
- N475WN
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- 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.