A Southwest Airlines flight attendant reportedly fractured her back after a rough landing in Orange County, California. No other passengers or crew members were injured.
Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Fractured Back Upon Rough Landing In California
The incident occurred on July 1, 2022 on Southwest Airlines flight 2029 traveling from Oakland (OAK) to John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA). 137 passengers and five crew members were onboard. Upon landing on runway 20R, one flight attendant felt excruciating pain in her back and could not move.
A final National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report was just released detailing the injury:
A flight attendant was injured when Southwest Airlines Flight 2029 landed at the John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA), Santa Ana, California.
According to the flight crew, they were flying a visual approach to runway 20R at SNA. They were aiming for the touchdown zone due to its short runway and trying to fly the aircraft onto the runway with minimal floating. However, it ended up being a firm landing. Shortly after exiting the runway, the flight crew were informed that the “B” position flight attendant (FA) seated in the aft jump seat had injured her back on landing and required medical assistance.
According to the FA, after securing the galley and cabin for landing, she sat down in her jumpseat, secured her seatbelt harness, and got into the brace position. She indicated that the plane hit the ground with such force that she thought the plane had crashed. She immediately felt pain in her back, neck and she could not move. Paramedics evaluated her and transported her to a local hospital where she was later diagnosed with a compression fracture to her T3 vertebra.
The runway is relatively short at John Wayne Airport, which leads to harder landings than at other airports because planes have to land quickly and put on the brakes more forcefully. Interestingly, the NTSB did not place any blame on the pilot for the hard landing. The aircraft remains in service.
I do wonder if the flight attendant had any pre-existing conditions, considering no other crew members or passengers were harmed? Southwest refused to comment on the incident.
Also, why did the flight attendant assume the brace position for landing?
CONCLUSION
A Southwest Airlines flight attendant suffered a broken back (compression fracture) after a rough landing in Orange County, California. Her condition is not known, but the NTSB report does not suggest any wrongdoing on the part of the pilots.
(image: motox810 // H/T: Aviation Herald)
Osteoporosis?
Multiple myeloma?
Exacerbation of fracture from previous major trauma?
Incomplete penetrance of osteogenesis imperfecta?
Not a single mask dropped?
No overhead bins crashing open?
The FDR didn’t record it as an usually hard landing so I suspect you are right.
SWA Pilot was a former Navy F/A-18 driver, he was thinking he needed to stick it hard to be able to grab the arresting cable….I’ll let him know to work on greasing it going forward.
I find it surprising that, as reported, this ONE flight attendant, out of the 142 persons on board, was the only one who was injured. I am not saying it did not happen – I just find it unusual that she was the only one injured. Something does not smell right …..
FYI, Flight Attendants always assume the brace position on landing AND take-off JUST IN CASE! SIGNED, RETIRED FA/Purser/FA Instructor
I wonder how old she is. Did she bid for a recognized hard landing airport?
If flight attendants could “bid” for hard landings could you explain in detail how to do it? You obviously know absolutely nothing about the airline industry. Just another buffoon yapping.
Yeah I’m going to break my back so I can get disability. You’re joking right??
No, I am not joking. Is it broken? At least you’re thinking more clearly than the fellow in the comment above you.
What do you mean why did she assume the brace position? It is required for take off and landings. Not trying to be rude but you need to edit that part of your article.
I sit in first class all the time and usually can see the FAs in the jumpseat near door 1L. Not once have I seen FAs assume the brace position for landing. What are you talking about?
And also the FA brace position and passenger brace position are not the same. That’s maybe why you’re confused.
Well they are supposed to be in brace position prior to landing . If they are not and management catches wind they would be in trouble.
Well, some airlines require their flight attendants to assume the brace position for takeoff and landing. Others don’t. I worked for TWA for 30 years, an F facing flight attendant had to put their head completely back on the jumpseat for takeoff and landing a forward facing flight attendant had to be harnessed incorrectly, And no brace position was required. It was exactly the same way at American Airlines also. Now, at Eastern Airlines, they used to have to sit on their hands for takeoff and landing. They did this because arms flailing about could be broken during the possibility of a crash.
If it’s an American airline there is a brace position required for landing.