N4202G

On December 30, 1995, at 0843 hours Hawaiian standard time, a flight attendant onboard Mahalo Airlines Flight 204 sustained a fractured ankle during a turbulence encounter while on approach to Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii. The aircraft, an Avion de Trans ATR 42-300, N4202G, was operated by Mahalo Air, Inc., as a regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight under 14 CFR Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The aircraft was not damaged. The flight attendant sustained serious injuries; however, the remaining 21 passengers and two crew members were not injured. The flight originated at Lihue, Hawaii, on the morning of the accident at 0757 as a non-stop flight to Honolulu.

According to statements from the captain and the injured flight attendant, the captain was anticipating moderate turbulence for the flight due to frontal system activity over the Hawaiian Islands. The captain briefed the flight attendant on the expected turbulence for the entire flight and kept the seat belt sign illuminated continuously. Turbulence was encountered for the majority of the flight.

On radar vectors for the LDA Runway 26L final approach to Honolulu, the aircraft was descended to 7,000 feet and was heading toward the only clear area between cells shown on both the aircraft and approach control radars. No turbulence had been encountered for several minutes and the flight attendant elected to do a seatbelt compliance check on the passengers. The captain said three strong jolts were encountered accompanied by altitude excursions. The turbulence was encountered as the attendant was returning to her seat in the rear of the aircraft. The flight attendant was bounced off the ceiling twice and sustained a displaced fracture of the left ankle.