Boeing 737 7H4 accident near Nashville, Tennessee, January 9, 2014
On January 9, 2014 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 2011 Boeing 737 7H4, registered N966WN, was involved in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Nashville, Tennessee. It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 144 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A buildup of pressure in the coffee filter package resulting in the release of hot coffee and grounds when the potlocking lever was raised, which resulted in 2nd degree burns.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 9, 2014 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Nashville, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 144 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 7H4 7H4, built 2011 · all 737 7H4s on the register
- Registration
- N966WN · registry record · serial 36966
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While preparing coffee service in the aft galley, the C flight attendant (FA) observed the coffee maker emitting an unusual noise and coffee was pooling on the burner. The FA lifted the potlocking lever on the coffee pot and hot coffee and coffee grounds erupted onto her face, neck, and chest. The flight diverted and landed at Nashville International Airport, Nashville, Tennessee where medical personnel met the flight at the gate. The FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with second-degree burns. In January of 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration issued Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) 13001, which addressed reported cases of coffee filter packages bursting in flight during coffee preparation, resulting in 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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Cabin safety event during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Equipment/furnishings › Buffet/galleys › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight engineer, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 22,700 hours in all; 11,500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 2, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,639 hours in all; 5,612 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 154,500 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B24E (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B24E (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Southwest Airlines CO
The flight
- Departed from: KIAD Indianapolis IN at 9:32 pm
- Destination: KRSW Fort Meyers FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 070° at 3 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | 2 | ||
| Flig | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 140 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number DCA14CA035.