Alaska B739 enroute on Dec 26th 2024, turbulence causes 3 injuries
Last Update: May 21, 2025 / 19:43:25 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Dec 26, 2024
Classification
Accident
Airline
Alaska Airlines
Flight number
AS-700
Departure
Seattle, United States
Destination
Phoenix, United States
Aircraft Registration
N958AK
Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-900
ICAO Type Designator
B739
On May 21st 2025 the NTSB released their preliminary report summarizing the sequence of events:
Before the flight, the pilots had briefed the lead flight attendant in advance about when they should perform service and prepare for landing, due to the expected turbulence. As the airplane approached the area of expected turbulence, while at flight level (FL) 330, the first officer made a public address announcement to advise the passengers that the seatbelt sign would be turned on in about 15 minutes, and the flight attendants would then also be seated.
The airplane encountered light turbulence 15 minutes later, and the first officer turned on the seatbelt sign and informed the flight attendants that the turbulence was expected to worsen, and that they should prepare the cabin and take their seats. The first officer checked in with air traffic control (ATC) and reported experiencing light with occasional moderate turbulence. ATC advised that there were areas of light chop throughout the Las Vegas area, and that there were no reports of turbulence more intense than the light chop.
About 15 minutes later the airplane encountered severe turbulence. Two flight attendants were seriously injured, and one non-revenue flight attendant passenger sustained a minor injury. All were located in the rear gally area when the turbulence occurred and were not restrained.
The pilots declared a medical emergency and elected to continue to Phoenix, after determining that a diversion to the nearest airport would result in routing through the area of expected turbulence. The remainder of the flight was uneventful. EMS personnel met the airplane at the gate and four flight attendants were subsequently transported to the hospital.
A post accident review of weather data revealed that a Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) advisory was issued at 1213 which forecasted occasional severe turbulence between FL270 and FL400 due to wind shear associated with the jetstream in an area surrounding the accident location. A pilot report (PIREP) had previously included such conditions 5 minutes prior to the accident in the general vicinity of the turbulence encounter location. Additionally, an Airman’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET) advisory was issued for the area at 1245, which forecasted moderate turbulence between FL180 and FL400. Satellite and weather radar data for the accident area indicated there was cloud cover above the turbulence encounter locations and no precipitation echoes, respectively.
Aircraft Registration Data
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Dec 26, 2024
Classification
Accident
Airline
Alaska Airlines
Flight number
AS-700
Departure
Seattle, United States
Destination
Phoenix, United States
Aircraft Registration
N958AK
Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-900
ICAO Type Designator
B739
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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