NTSB Factual Report

On April 17, 2010, about 0900 central daylight time, a flight attendant was injured aboard a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82(MD-82), N461AA, operated by American Airlines, Inc., and piloted by an airline transport pilot. The flight attendant received serious injuries when she fell during the flight. There was no damage to the airplane and no injuries to the other crew or passengers on the flight. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 flight was operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The airplane had departed from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, Texas, about 0820 and was en route to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois when the event occurred.

The flight attendant reported that as she turned to walk to the galley, she tripped and fell, landing on her left hand. It was later found that she had fractured her wrist.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight attendant's loss of balance resulting in a fall and a broken wrist.