Probable cause
The airplane’s inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence.
NTSB analysis
The airplane was in cruise flight when it encountered convective turbulence at flight level (FL) 320. Weather conditions were dark moonless night with scattered storms visible on radar, but the crew reported no returns along their path. A Convective SIGMET was in effect for the area which forecast cloud tops to FL320. The cabin crew was conducting drink service. The flight crew stated they unexpectedly entered a cloud and experienced moderate to borderline severe turbulence. The C flight attendant fell and broke her ankle.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA22LA012 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 9, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lexington, Virginia
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Boeing 737-8H4
- N-number
- N8642E
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2014
- 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.