Date: 201309
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Aircraft component: Galley Furnishing
Component problem: Malfunctioning; Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer
Second reporter function: Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: General Maintenance Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Procedure; Human Factors; Equipment / Tooling
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: While in level cruise flight in smooth air at FL410; the Captain received a call from the 'A' Flight Attendant that there was an incident in the cabin involving the 'B' Flight Attendant. Apparently; she had been burned by hot water during the brewing process with the aft #2 coffee maker. The Captain immediately asked if she was alright and if she needed any medical assistance. He was told she was okay except for some burns. We all agreed that we could safely continue on our way to [our destination] and that she could continue her duties. Once on the ground; the Captain spoke to the injured Flight Attendant in the Aft Galley and she assured him that she was okay and willing to continue with her trip. She commented that she had lifted the handle on the coffee maker while it was brewing. In conversation with the Captain; we drew the conclusion that this action was an operational error and we believed it was the cause of the incident. We then departed and discussed the incident further. The Captain felt in the interest of safety it would be best to have the Station Maintenance change the coffee maker. Because of the situation; and the assumption that incident was operator error; no logbook entry was made before departing. After further conversation with the Captain; we realized that an error in judgment was made and a report should be filed. Follow company guidance and policy.


Second narrative: There was an incident in the cabin involving the 'B' Flight Attendant. Once on the ground; after passenger deplaning; I called Dispatch to advise them of the situation. When on the ground; I spoke to the injured Flight Attendant in the aft galley and she assured me she was okay to continue with her trip. In our conversation; she had told me that she lifted the handle of the coffee maker while it was brewing. That immediately made me think that there was 'operator error' involving this incident. My approach was more of a concern for her safety; but at the same time I believed her actions may have caused the incident. We left to go back to where we had departed from and; during cruise flight; I discussed the incident further with my First Officer. I then contemplated the possibility that it may 'not have been' operator error. I felt that in the interest of safety it would be best to have Maintenance check it out. Therefore; I elected to make an aircraft logbook entry stating that the aft #2 coffee maker was not brewing correctly. Maintenance at our destination changed the coffee maker because it had coffee grounds on it. My concern about this situation is that perhaps because of my assumption; that the incident was caused by operator error; I may have erred myself by not making a log entry and subsequent crew deferral before departing. It was not until after much contemplation that I realized that if I was in error; that I should file this report. In retrospect; I would elect to write-up and defer the coffee pot immediately. I believe we already have sound guidance by our Company in this area.


Synopsis: Two pilots report that a Flight Attendant sustained hot water burns when she lifted the handle on the aft #2 coffee maker during the brewing process on their B737-700 aircraft.