Boeing 737 76N N7733B

Summary

On 26 December 2015 at about 20:41 local time, a Boeing 737 76N registered N7733B, operated by Southwest Airlines Co, was involved in an accident near San Diego, California, United States. 148 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 December 2015 at 20:41

Classification

Accident

Location

San Diego, California, United States

Coordinates

32.8683, -116.5500

Aircraft

Boeing 737 76N

Registration

N7733B

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

2

Operator

Southwest Airlines Co

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Denver → San Diego

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DCA16CA052

1 person was seriously injured.

An inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On December 26, 2015, at about 1238 pacific standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 5895, a Boeing 737-700, N7733B, encountered moderate turbulence while descending for approach to San Diego International Airport (KSAN), San Diego, California. Of the 148 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 Denver International Airport (KDEN), Denver, Colorado, to KSAN. The flight crew stated that turbulence encounter occurred as the airplane was descending through about 14,000 feet and the seatbelt sign was illuminated.  At the time of the turbulence encounter, the three flight attendants (FA) were standing in the aft galley preparing to secure the cabin.  When the turbulence began, all three FAs attempted to brace themselves but one FA was unable to grab an assist handle by the galley when she thrown to the floor. 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 where she was diagnosed with a fractured ankle.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.