Narrative:

The flight was an out and back. When we were departing for the return flight; the galley cart came out of the stowed area during takeoff. It was immediately caught by the passenger in 1C. I released my shoulder straps; but kept my lap belt on. This allowed me the ability to maneuver the cart with her (passenger in 1C) assistance; while not completely getting out of my seat during takeoff. I felt the situation would have been more unsafe with me out of my seat; and it could be handled with me still in the jump seat. I turned the cart to release the brake; because we couldn't really move it well with the brake on. Together we pushed it towards the galley service door; pinning it against the bulkhead. I watched it the entire time we were climbing to 10;000 ft; and she insisted on propping her foot up to make sure it stayed in place (instead of me reaching to hold it). When the 10;000 ft chime signaled; I stowed my jump seat before securing the galley cart back into position. The passengers in 1C and 1B informed me that they were not injured by the cart. The woman in 1C said it had only startled her. She was very understanding and kept reassuring me that she wasn't harmed. Another gentleman (I believe in row 3 or 5 B) asked if I was okay. The rest of the flight went without incident. In all honesty I believe this incident only occurred due to my lack of experience. This trip was my first trip after IOE. The instructors warned us during training that it will happen one time; and never again. Even though we kept the plane and I didn't have to perform a preflight check; commissary came aboard to groom the plane. They must have pulled the trash leaving the latch open; and I missed it. It was definitely a learning experience for me. Now I know to always triple check the galley latches. This isn't something I ever want to happen again!

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ-200 Flight Attendant reports a galley cart coming out of the stowed area during takeoff. It is corralled with the aid of a passenger in 1C and returned to its' normal position passing 10;000 FT in the climb.

Narrative: The flight was an out and back. When we were departing for the return flight; the galley cart came out of the stowed area during takeoff. It was immediately caught by the passenger in 1C. I released my shoulder straps; but kept my lap belt on. This allowed me the ability to maneuver the cart with her (passenger in 1C) assistance; while not completely getting out of my seat during takeoff. I felt the situation would have been more unsafe with me out of my seat; and it could be handled with me still in the jump seat. I turned the cart to release the brake; because we couldn't really move it well with the brake on. Together we pushed it towards the galley service door; pinning it against the bulkhead. I watched it the entire time we were climbing to 10;000 FT; and she insisted on propping her foot up to make sure it stayed in place (instead of me reaching to hold it). When the 10;000 FT chime signaled; I stowed my jump seat before securing the galley cart back into position. The passengers in 1C and 1B informed me that they were not injured by the cart. The woman in 1C said it had only startled her. She was very understanding and kept reassuring me that she wasn't harmed. Another gentleman (I believe in row 3 or 5 B) asked if I was okay. The rest of the flight went without incident. In all honesty I believe this incident only occurred due to my lack of experience. This trip was my first trip after IOE. The instructors warned us during training that it will happen one time; and never again. Even though we kept the plane and I didn't have to perform a preflight check; commissary came aboard to groom the plane. They must have pulled the trash leaving the latch open; and I missed it. It was definitely a learning experience for me. Now I know to always triple check the galley latches. This isn't something I ever want to happen again!

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.