# NTSB SEA91LA126: Boeing 737-3G7, N304AW, Elko, NV, June 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1991, 18:00 local (Jun 6, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Coordinates: 40.950634, -115.790931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9506&lon=-115.7909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 138 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA126

## Probable cause

AN UNSECURED CART.  THE FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  TURBULENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,buffet - not secured (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT PREPARED THE SNACK CART FOR SERVICE.  A POT OF COFFEE WAS PLACED ON TOP OF THE CART.  THE ATTENDANT POSITIONED THE CART IN FRONT OF ROW 1 AND RETURNED TO THE GALLEY TO FILL A DRINK ORDER. THE ATTENDANT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND TURNED AROUND TO FIND THAT THE CART HAD FALLEN OVER TOWARD ROW 1.  THE POT OF COFFEE SPILLED ON A PASSENGER SEATED IN ROW 1B.  THE PASSENGER WAS SERIOUSLY BURNED BY THE COFFEE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N304AW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-3G7
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 304AN
- Engines: CFM CFM56-3B1/3C1 22000 horsepower turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: America West Airlines
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: SEA, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; flight hours: 11,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910605027549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910605027549A), Jun 5, 1991: Boeing 7373G7, Elko, NV. Flight attendant left beverage cart unattended. Spilled hot coffee on a passenger causing second degree burns.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.