Boeing 777 N860DA accident near Anchorage, Alaska

Probable cause

The airplane’s encounter with severe turbulence while flying over a mountain range during cruise.

NTSB analysis

The airplane was in cruise flight when it encountered turbulence over the Aleutian Islands, a chain of mountainous volcanic islands west of the Alaskan peninsula. A flight attendant standing in the aft main cabin galley during the encounter fell onto the galley cart restraint latch, injuring her top left rib. She was subsequently diagnosed with a fractured rib.

Post-accident examination of the weather data indicated that about the time of the injury, there was evidence of a short duration turbulence event while the aircraft flew over the Aleutian Islands. The flight crew did not recall any notable turbulence during the flight, and there were no pilot reports (PIREPs) or inflight weather advisories current for the area.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA21LA018 for the full record.