Alaska B739 enroute on Dec 26th 2024, turbulence causes 3 injuries

Last Update: May 21, 2025 / 19:43:25 GMT/Zulu time

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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

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900, registration N958AK performing flight AS-700 from Seattle,WA to Phoenix,AZ (USA) with 178 passengers and 5 crew, was enroute at FL330 over Nevada when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence causing serious injuries to two flight attendants and minor injuries to another flight attendant. The crew elected to continue to Phoenix where the aircraft landed without further incident.

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
Registration mark
N958AK
Country of Registration
United States
Date of Registration
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TCDS Ident. No.
PApAq Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
BOEING
Aircraft Model / Type
737-9
Number of Seats
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ICAO Aircraft Type
B739
Year of Manufacture
Ecmf Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
Bfmqi Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
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Engine Count
H Subscribe to unlock
Engine Manufacturer
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Engine Model
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Engine Type
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Pounds of Thrust
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Main Owner
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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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