Boeing 737 7H4 N968WN

Summary

On 17 June 2014 at about 14:30 local time, a Boeing 737 7H4 registered N968WN, operated by Southwest Airlines, was involved in an accident near Dallas, Texas, United States. 144 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 June 2014 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Dallas, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.5053, -97.1567

Aircraft

Boeing 737 7H4

Registration

N968WN

Category

Airplane

Year built

2011

Engines

2

Operator

Southwest Airlines

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Vegas → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

Unk

Light

Day

NTSB number

DCA14CA120

1 person was seriously injured.

A buildup of pressure in the coffee filter package resulting in the release of hot coffee and grounds when the potlocking handle was raised, which resulted in 2nd and 3rd degree burns.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While working in the forward galley, the flight attendant noticed that the coffee pot was leaking onto the counter and proceeded to turn it off and cleaned up the spill. Then while lifting the coffee maker's potlocking lever, hot coffee grounds and hot water erupted onto her face, neck, upper chest and hands. The flight crew elected to divert to Dallas Love Field (DAL), Dallas, Texas, and landed without incident. Medical personnel met the flight and the flight attendant was treated for 1st and 2nd degree burns. Approximately 18 months before the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 13001, which addressed reported cases of coffee filter packages bursting in-flight during coffee preparation, causing 1st and 2nd degree burns to flight attendants and bystanders. The SAFO encouraged air carriers and operators to add cautionary instructions and procedures to the Flight Attendant Manual (FAM) and training program, warning crew members of the dangers to personnel and equipment. At the time of the accident the following warning was present in the operator's FAM: WARNING: To avoid injury from bursting coffee filters, step to the side, turn off power to the coffeemaker, and do not raise the potlocking lever until the unit has cooled. Following the accident the warning was changed to the following: WARNING: Water overflowing and/or a hissing noise coming from the coffeemaker could result in injury from bursting coffee packets. Step to the side, turn off power to the coffeemaker, and DO NOT raise the potlocking lever.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.