Narrative:

Severe unexpected turbulence and resulting injury to flight attendant-B. Aircraft was hit with unexpected severe turbulence approximately 25 minutes before landing; during initial descent. Flight attendant-B was injured as a result of the turbulence by being thrown out of her jumpseat; at which time her back was slammed into the seat on her way down incurring a road rash like burn and bruising (especially apparent on her left side) and also subsequently hit the right side of her head. Flight attendant-B is unsure as to what or when her head it. Flight attendant-B had a temporary loss of consciousness. Approximately 30 minutes before arrival; the ca announced over the PA to the passenger that the plane had just begun it's descent. During announcement; the ca mentioned 'there may be slight bumpiness'. The ca did not state; 'flight attendants prepare cabin' so flight attendant-a contacted the flight deck and spoke to first officer to inquire if that announcement was her 'prepare cabin announcement' (since that is often when it is given). First officer stated it wasn't quite that time yet; however he stated we could go ahead and make that announcement early and start cleaning up; as there was a possibility of upcoming turbulence. Flight attendant-a made the initial descent announcement and followed up by conveying the information to flight attendant-B. Both flight attendants began clean up/compliance/securing the cabin/galley. Flight attendant-B gave flight attendant-a a thumbs up from the back of the cabin indicating all was secure in the main cabin as well as all compliance necessary for landing. Flight attendant-a contacted flight attendant-B via phone; and stated that even though we still had one more announcement and final walk through to do after sterile; that flight attendant-B should go ahead and be seated as a precautionary measure since she had completed her compliance (her galley was secure; all open containers emptied/restocked; no one in the restroom and the main cabin was also compliant). It was agreed upon that after sterile; if there was no unsafe turbulence we could walk the cabin one last time; if necessary. At that time the turbulence was light and sporadic. Additionally; no unsafe turbulence was anticipated; we were all just working to make for an easier and safer descent by cleaning up and getting seated early. Flight attendant-B then attempted to get into her jump seat. During flight attendant-B''s attempt to buckle her seat belt (both arms were in the straps already) the plane began to experience severe turbulence. The jerking of the plane locked the straps preventing flight attendant-B from snapping the seatbelt closed. Again; flight attendant-B attempted to snap the seat belt together but the turbulence again locked the straps preventing her from locking the seat belt. Upon her third attempt to lock the seat belt a jolt of turbulence launched flight attendant-B upward and out of her seat (including her arms being pulled out of the straps). It is believed (no witness) that as flight attendant-B was launched upward the jump seat bottom closed partially upward so that as her body came down her back was thrown violently into the metal bar of the seat bottom. The next thing flight attendant-B recalls is passengers in the back rows of the plane asking her if she was okay. She was initially disoriented at this point; had definitely had the wind knocked out of her and was concerned if she would even be able to walk as it felt like she may have broken her back or something severe like that due to the extreme pain. The passengers assisted flight attendant-B to an actual cabin seat as she crawled slowly toward them and they reached out their hands to help pull her forward. She eventually was able to get into a seat (row 21 she believes) with their assistance. A passenger actually bucked flight attendant-B as she was that weak and in that much pain. All of this occurred before the plane entered sterile.note: flight attendant-a was unaware of what had happened to flight attendant-B until after the doors were disarmed because while flight attendant-B was attempting to get into her jump seat and the severe turbulence began; flight attendant-a was getting her paperwork with the arrival announcement; as well as the report which stated the arrival gate and baggage claim info. When theturbulence hit; flight attendant-a still had a cabinet open where the papers were and immediately had to deal with keeping herself safe as she was too far from her jump seat to even try to sit down. Flight attendant-a did at one point see flight attendant-B appear to be sitting on the floor in the last two rows of the cabin (in the aisle) when there was a momentary slowing of the turbulence (flight attendant-a was attempting to get an assessment of the cabin as well as an assessment of 'how can I get to my jump seat [or to] safety' especially since there really was nothing on the floor for flight attendant-a to hold onto if she tried to sit down) flight attendant-a (me) believed that flight attendant-B was following protocol for severe turbulence while in cabin; immediately sit and if necessary have passenger assist by holding on to you. By the time flight attendant-a was able to get down and crawl safely to her jump seat flight attendant-B was no longer on the main cabin aisle floor. Flight attendant-a assumed flight attendant-B was in her jump seat as well. After the doors were both disarmed and crosschecked flight attendant-B called flight attendant-a and confirmed disarming/crosschecking. As passenger began to deplane; flight attendant-B called and told flight attendant-a that she was hurt but with no specific details. Flight attendant-a immediately notified the ca. The ca inquired to the severity and inquired if paramedics would be needed; and flight attendant-a stated it was unknown. The ca immediately made his way through the remaining passenger to get to flight attendant-B and assess the situation. Ultimately; the paramedics were called to assess flight attendant-B and then it was decided flight attendant-B needed to be taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Flight attendant-a accompanied flight attendant-B to the hospital and remained with flight attendant-B until all tests were completed and flight attendant-B was released from the hospital. Also; please note that I flight attendant-a was tossed around like a ragdoll (or as flight attendant-B said I looked like 'a monkey swinging in the air'). Flight attendant-a did hit head several times on the ceiling as she was lifted and completely airborne; but did not incur any pain.unfortunately due to the nature of the unexpected severe turbulence I believe it was handled as best as possible. The first officer did notify the fas of possible turbulence and suggested early compliance as a precaution. Both fas did exactly as suggested by the first officer immediately and were ready to be seated quite early; even with turbulence they were still in seat before sterile flight deck. As for acquiring witnesses and witness accounts unfortunately due to the timing of occurrence and the time flight attendant-a became aware of said situation it was no longer an option to get said info. Additionally; based on evaluation following the incident; it is apparent flight attendant-B was in shock and so it would be unrealistic to expect flight attendant-B to have had the wherewithal to ask for witness info and/or for them to stay for a report.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Flight Attendant reported severe turbulence during descent resulting in injury to one of the flight attendants.

Narrative: Severe unexpected turbulence and resulting injury to FA-B. Aircraft was hit with unexpected severe turbulence approximately 25 minutes before landing; during initial descent. FA-B was injured as a result of the turbulence by being thrown out of her jumpseat; at which time her back was slammed into the seat on her way down incurring a road rash like burn and bruising (especially apparent on her left side) and also subsequently hit the right side of her head. FA-B is unsure as to what or when her head it. FA-B had a temporary loss of consciousness. Approximately 30 minutes before arrival; the CA announced over the PA to the PAX that the plane had just begun it's descent. During announcement; the CA mentioned 'there may be slight bumpiness'. The CA did not state; 'flight attendants prepare cabin' so FA-A contacted the flight deck and spoke to FO to inquire if that announcement was her 'prepare cabin announcement' (since that is often when it is given). FO stated it wasn't quite that time yet; however he stated we could go ahead and make that announcement early and start cleaning up; as there was a possibility of upcoming turbulence. FA-A made the initial descent announcement and followed up by conveying the information to FA-B. Both flight attendants began clean up/compliance/securing the cabin/galley. FA-B gave FA-A a thumbs up from the back of the cabin indicating all was secure in the main cabin as well as all compliance necessary for landing. FA-A contacted FA-B via phone; and stated that even though we still had one more announcement and final walk through to do after sterile; that FA-B should go ahead and be seated as a precautionary measure since she had completed her compliance (her galley was secure; all open containers emptied/restocked; no one in the restroom and the main cabin was also compliant). It was agreed upon that after sterile; if there was no unsafe turbulence we could walk the cabin one last time; if necessary. At that time the turbulence was light and sporadic. Additionally; no unsafe turbulence was anticipated; we were all just working to make for an easier and safer descent by cleaning up and getting seated early. FA-B then attempted to get into her jump seat. During FA-B''s attempt to buckle her seat belt (both arms were in the straps already) the plane began to experience severe turbulence. The jerking of the plane locked the straps preventing FA-B from snapping the seatbelt closed. Again; FA-B attempted to snap the seat belt together but the turbulence again locked the straps preventing her from locking the seat belt. Upon her third attempt to lock the seat belt a jolt of turbulence launched FA-B upward and out of her seat (including her arms being pulled out of the straps). It is believed (no witness) that as FA-B was launched upward the jump seat bottom closed partially upward so that as her body came down her back was thrown violently into the metal bar of the seat bottom. The next thing FA-B recalls is passengers in the back rows of the plane asking her if she was okay. She was initially disoriented at this point; had definitely had the wind knocked out of her and was concerned if she would even be able to walk as it felt like she may have broken her back or something severe like that due to the extreme pain. The passengers assisted FA-B to an actual cabin seat as she crawled slowly toward them and they reached out their hands to help pull her forward. She eventually was able to get into a seat (row 21 she believes) with their assistance. A PAX actually bucked FA-B as she was that weak and in that much pain. All of this occurred before the plane entered sterile.Note: FA-A was unaware of what had happened to FA-B until after the doors were disarmed because while FA-B was attempting to get into her jump seat and the severe turbulence began; FA-A was getting her paperwork with the arrival announcement; as well as the report which stated the arrival gate and baggage claim info. When theturbulence hit; FA-A still had a cabinet open where the papers were and immediately had to deal with keeping herself safe as she was too far from her jump seat to even try to sit down. FA-A did at one point see FA-B appear to be sitting on the floor in the last two rows of the cabin (in the aisle) when there was a momentary slowing of the turbulence (FA-A was attempting to get an assessment of the cabin as well as an assessment of 'how can I get to my jump seat [or to] safety' especially since there really was nothing on the floor for FA-A to hold onto if she tried to sit down) FA-A (me) believed that FA-B was following protocol for severe turbulence while in cabin; immediately sit and if necessary have PAX assist by holding on to you. By the time FA-A was able to get down and crawl safely to her jump seat FA-B was no longer on the main cabin aisle floor. FA-A assumed FA-B was in her jump seat as well. After the doors were both disarmed and crosschecked FA-B called FA-A and confirmed disarming/crosschecking. As PAX began to deplane; FA-B called and told FA-A that she was hurt but with no specific details. FA-A immediately notified the CA. The CA inquired to the severity and inquired if paramedics would be needed; and FA-A stated it was unknown. The CA immediately made his way through the remaining PAX to get to FA-B and assess the situation. Ultimately; the paramedics were called to assess FA-B and then it was decided FA-B needed to be taken to the hospital for further evaluation. FA-A accompanied FA-B to the hospital and remained with FA-B until all tests were completed and FA-B was released from the hospital. Also; please note that I FA-A was tossed around like a ragdoll (or as FA-B said I looked like 'a monkey swinging in the air'). FA-A did hit head several times on the ceiling as she was lifted and completely airborne; but did not incur any pain.Unfortunately due to the nature of the unexpected severe turbulence I believe it was handled as best as possible. The FO did notify the FAs of possible turbulence and suggested early compliance as a precaution. Both FAs did exactly as suggested by the FO immediately and were ready to be seated quite early; even with turbulence they were still in seat before sterile flight deck. As for acquiring witnesses and witness accounts unfortunately due to the timing of occurrence and the time FA-A became aware of said situation it was no longer an option to get said info. Additionally; based on evaluation following the incident; it is apparent FA-B was in shock and so it would be unrealistic to expect FA-B to have had the wherewithal to ask for witness info and/or for them to stay for a report.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.