NTSB Factual Report

On July 27, 2009, about 1630 eastern daylight time, Republic Airlines flight 3199, an EMB-175, N135HQ, encountered turbulence while climbing to cruise altitude after departing Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Norfolk, Virginia. Of the four crew members and 83 passengers onboard, one flight attendant received serious injuries and the airplane was not damaged. The 14 CFR part 121 domestic passenger flight continued uneventfully to its intended destination of Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to the Captain, the flight departed normally from runway 23 but there were numerous thunderstorms and rain showers in the area. He said they were deviating around a cell as they were approaching FL220 when, the flight encountered moderate turbulence.

According to flight attendant (FA) statements, two FAs were in the aft galley preparing beverage service when the turbulence occurred. Both FAs were lifted into the air and then thrown to the floor with one FA landing on top of the other. One FA injured her left ankle and was assisted to a passenger seat and provided ice and the other FA received minor injuries.

The Director of Safety for Republic Airlines reported in NTSB Form 6120 that the seat belt had been illuminated at the time of the turbulence. Upon landing, emergency medical technicians met the flight and the FA was taken to a hospital where x-rays revealed that she had a broken bone in her left foot.

NTSB Probable Cause

an inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence that resulted in serious injuries to a flight attendant.