Narrative:

Upon take-off an onboard catering container slid out of its safety brackets and onto the floor. The galley latches were secured prior to flight back door being closed. The container involved is the one containing snacks and wine splits. Upon boarding the aircraft I noticed that the container directly above the one involved was positioned behind the secondary latch so I repositioned it; engaged the latch and then checked both containers latches (this took place prior to passengers boarding). Once all passengers had boarded and the aircraft boarding door was closed I delivered my 'after door close' announcement; performed my compliance check in the cabin; and double checked that all of my galley latches were properly engaged. I touched all latches physically. I verified with the flight deck and closed the door then secured myself in my jumpseat. I briefly suspected a passenger of using a laptop while we were taxiing to the runway; made another announcement about ped's required stowage at this point then walked through the cabin. Once again I returned to my jumpseat and secured myself. The flight deck asked me to be seated and I informed them I was secured in my seat. When the engines revved up and we began rolling down the runway I heard the container shift and initially I thought the galley latches held it. Then I heard it sliding again and could not get my arm up in time to stop it so I tried to deflect the container with my foot since there was a passenger sitting nearby. The container hit my foot; but I could not deflect it into the galley; but luckily the passenger was uninjured. I asked him several times if he was ok and he verified that he was ok. No one was sitting next to him so he had his feet and legs angled towards the window. Once it was safe to do so I got out of my jumpseat and moved the container into the galley. I checked the galley latches and the screws seemed loose so I used my key to tighten it. Then I used a paperclip to finish tightening the screw as much as possible. Prior to tightening the screw; the latch flipped up and down with little force; something I failed to notice prior to departure; since the latch flips up to unsecure the container. I replaced the container after tightening the screws and once again secured it with the latches. I then tugged on the container to make sure it would stay. The latches seemed secure. I spoke with the captain explaining what had happened and asked him if he wanted me to stow the container elsewhere and he declined; saying that if the latch seemed worthy after a few tugs he would rather have it in the galley. We did encounter moderate turbulence and the container did not move the rest of the flight. Onboard catering container broke loose from the galley latches upon take-off. After further investigation the screws holding the galley latches in place were found to be loose. It is very difficult to tell whether or not the screws on the galley latches are loose. If maintenance could check that more often that would be appreciated.callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: reporter stated even the thumb type safety latches were loose. The containers hold the wine splits and food items for purchase and tend to be quite heavy. Reporter stated three similar incidents have occurred recently; where containers have slid out of their galley shelves during takeoff. All of them have been caused by loose galley latch attach screws.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-200 Flight Attendant reports an onboard catering container in the forward galley slid out of the safety brackets and onto the floor during takeoff. Attach screws for galley latches were found loose. Flight Attendant used a key and paper clip to try and tighten screws.

Narrative: Upon take-off an onboard catering container slid out of its safety brackets and onto the floor. The galley latches were secured prior to flight back door being closed. The container involved is the one containing snacks and wine splits. Upon boarding the aircraft I noticed that the container directly above the one involved was positioned behind the secondary latch so I repositioned it; engaged the latch and then checked both containers latches (this took place prior to passengers boarding). Once all passengers had boarded and the aircraft boarding door was closed I delivered my 'after door close' announcement; performed my compliance check in the cabin; and double checked that all of my galley latches were properly engaged. I touched all latches physically. I verified with the flight deck and closed the door then secured myself in my jumpseat. I briefly suspected a passenger of using a laptop while we were taxiing to the runway; made another announcement about PED's required stowage at this point then walked through the cabin. Once again I returned to my jumpseat and secured myself. The flight deck asked me to be seated and I informed them I was secured in my seat. When the engines revved up and we began rolling down the runway I heard the container shift and initially I thought the galley latches held it. Then I heard it sliding again and could not get my arm up in time to stop it so I tried to deflect the container with my foot since there was a passenger sitting nearby. The container hit my foot; but I could not deflect it into the galley; but luckily the passenger was uninjured. I asked him several times if he was ok and he verified that he was ok. No one was sitting next to him so he had his feet and legs angled towards the window. Once it was safe to do so I got out of my jumpseat and moved the container into the galley. I checked the galley latches and the screws seemed loose so I used my key to tighten it. Then I used a paperclip to finish tightening the screw as much as possible. Prior to tightening the screw; the latch flipped up and down with little force; something I failed to notice prior to departure; since the latch flips up to unsecure the container. I replaced the container after tightening the screws and once again secured it with the latches. I then tugged on the container to make sure it would stay. The latches seemed secure. I spoke with the Captain explaining what had happened and asked him if he wanted me to stow the container elsewhere and he declined; saying that if the latch seemed worthy after a few tugs he would rather have it in the galley. We did encounter moderate turbulence and the container did not move the rest of the flight. Onboard catering container broke loose from the galley latches upon take-off. After further investigation the screws holding the galley latches in place were found to be loose. It is very difficult to tell whether or not the screws on the galley latches are loose. If maintenance could check that more often that would be appreciated.Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: Reporter stated even the thumb type safety latches were loose. The containers hold the wine splits and food items for purchase and tend to be quite heavy. Reporter stated three similar incidents have occurred recently; where containers have slid out of their galley shelves during takeoff. All of them have been caused by loose galley latch attach screws.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.