N83872

On April 19, 1995, at 2214 central daylight time, Continental Airlines Flight 276, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, N83872, encountered turbulence near Utopia, Texas. Of the six crew members, one flight attendant received serious injuries; however, the 52 passengers were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 121 flight from Denver, Colorado, to Houston, Texas.

Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) reported that Airmet 13C was in effect for a line of severe thunderstorms, with tops above FL450, extending from Oklahoma into south Texas. Company personnel stated that the flight was restricted to FL250 due to an inoperative pressurization component. The crew reported that the passenger seat belt sign was "ON" and all passengers remained seated. En route at FL250 (54 miles on the San Antonio 262 degree radial) the flight deviated south of the thunderstorms; however, moderate to severe turbulence was encountered three times in a time span of about 10 minutes with each encounter lasting about 5 to 10 seconds. The captain reported the flight encountered clear air turbulence. He further stated that the flight path at night was "clear of the clouds, no turbulence reported by ATC, nothing painted on our, or ATC radar on our flightpath, clearing nearest cell by about 35-40 miles."

One flight attendant, who was in the cockpit, reported "puffy dark clouds, visible straight ahead through the cockpit windows when we entered them and the third event occurred." She further stated "I held on to both arm rest and sat on the floor until the turbulence ended." After departing the cockpit, she responded to a call from the injured flight attendant in the aft cabin. The flight landed at 2246 at Houston International Airport, Houston, Texas, without further incident.