Boeing 737 7H4 accident near Dallas, Texas, June 17, 2014
On June 17, 2014 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 2011 Boeing 737 7H4, registered N968WN, was involved in an accident during enroute near Dallas, Texas. It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 143 others were unhurt. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
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 handle was raised, which resulted in 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 17, 2014 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Dallas, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 143 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 7H4 7H4, built 2011 · all 737 7H4s on the register
- Registration
- N968WN · registry record · serial 36679
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While working in the forward galley, the flight attendant noticed that the coffee pot was leaking onto the counter and proceeded to turn it off and cleaned up the spill. Then while lifting the coffee maker's potlocking lever, hot coffee grounds and hot water erupted onto her face, neck, upper chest and hands. The flight crew elected to divert to Dallas Love Field (DAL), Dallas, Texas, and landed without incident. Medical personnel met the flight and the flight attendant was treated for 1st and 2nd degree burns. Approximately 18 months before the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 13001, which addressed reported cases of coffee filter packages bursting in-flight during coffee preparation, causing 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. At the time of the accident the following warning was present in the operator's FAM: WARNING: To avoid injury from bursting coffee filters, step to the side, turn off power to the coffeemaker, and do not raise the potlocking lever until the unit has cooled. Following the accident the warning was changed to the following: WARNING: Water overflowing and/or a hissing noise coming from the coffeemaker could result in injury from bursting coffee packets. Step to the side, turn off power to the coffeemaker, and DO NOT raise the potlocking lever.
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 defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Equipment/furnishings › Buffet/galleys › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 21,000 hours in all; 14,000 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 1,700 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 17, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, June 16, 2014; 8,816 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 154,500 lb
- Seats: 151
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B24E; 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B24E; 0 hours total
- Operator: Southwest Airlines
The flight
- Departed from: LAS Las Vegas NV at 1:25 pm
- Destination: ATL Atlanta GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 30,000 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from KDFW, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | 2 | ||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 139 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.