Date: 201601
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Weather elements / visibility: Turbulence
Aircraft: Widebody Transport
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Company Policy
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: I was the Flight Attendant (FA) in aft galley. Crew performed the beverage service followed by the meal service. Cabin was bumpy. Another FA called Chief Purser (CP) asking if conditions would improve or get worse. I don't know response from CP. At no time was crew advised of chop/turbulence. Seatbelt sign illuminated. Crew finished service; checked seatbelts; secured carts and galley. Other FA was seated in last row aisle seat in coach. As I proceeded to aft galley the aircraft dropped fast. Two FA were seated in jumpseats. I secured and braced myself at the counter. As the aircraft rolled; two FAs helped guide me to the jumpseat by the door. I secured myself in. Interphone rang; FA answered it and informed CP that crew in back were hurt. Other FA immediately went to aft cabin and paged for medical attention. I remained to make certain CP was not compromised. Other FA again made PA requesting medical assistance. At this time; I felt CP was safe and went to aft cabin to help where and how needed; while maintaining communication with other FA who was keeping CP updated. Other FA gave me the forward oxygen bottle. I got the remaining oxygen bottles and brought them to aft cabin. Two FAs were hurt; one in aft lavatory bleeding. Passenger was laying with head wound across the aft galley. Three doctors were caring for the injured. I passed oxygen to a FA who could not breathe. I then checked on the FA hurt by the door. FA could not feel anything; could not move; asking how; what happened; anyone else hurt? Over and over until hospital. I took the 3 doctors names and info; and attended other passengers with injuries. At this time I noticed one FA quiet; pale; a bit in shock; and asked her if she was okay. FA said she hurt her ankle and the top left side of head hurt. A doctor wrapped the ankle. One passenger told me she fell into aisle and her chest was tender. I went to forward galley and informed FA there of the situation and got 4 bags of ice for injured FA; passenger and others in need.Another passenger had been in aft galley. She had blood on her sweater and was holding her cheek which had suffered a gash. I had a doctor attend to her. Two of us served as runners for all the needs that had to be met. I continued to talk with the injured FA who still could not move and repeated asking same questions over and over. As I went forward to appraise the FA there of situation. That FA had gotten the landing info from the CP. Time to land 40 minutes. As I went back to aft cabin; an FA was with a man experiencing chest pain; I gave that FA the oxygen; continued to aft cabin to inform all about 40 minutes to landing. We prepared cabin for landing. As I went down the aisle; a young girl's eyes rolled back into her head. I immediately got a doctor with her. We prepared the cabin for landing and all emergency exits were manned. Plane landed fast; hard; safely. Immediately; medical personnel entered aircraft to attend to the injured. Ambulances were waiting. We went in ambulances with the injured crew members. Two passengers went to hospital.




Synopsis: Commercial aircraft Flight Attendant reported they experienced a sudden and unexpected severe turbulence causing injuries to flight attendants and passengers.