A319
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 214; Flight Crew Type 7649
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Weather
Close to CTB VOR we encountered severe turbulence at FL350.We had heard reports 'pockets of moderate turbulence 100 east of MLP VOR'.  We were in the clear and smooth air.  Our position was just west of CTB VOR (approximately 140nm east and 70nm north of the reported turbulence). I decided to put the seat belt sign on.  I called the flight attendants and told them to take their jump seats.  The purser answered and said the other two were in the aisle and she would communicate that to them.  I also made a PA that they should take their jump seats.  I am told they immediately began that process of taking the carts toward the back of the aircraft.Before the aft flight attendants could get the carts stowed and in their seats we encountered severe turbulence.  I am guessing the time frame from my communicating to the flight attendants and the turbulence was in the 3-5 minute range.  It began with a mountain wave speed increase that went up to approximately 10 knots above Vmo.  The First Officer (FO) stated he saw .83 Mach; although it may have been higher.  The severe turbulence began almost simultaneously as the airspeed increased.Our altitude went up to an observed 35;700 and down to 34;000 feet before the FO had control of the aircraft.  Bank angles went up to approximately 25 degrees in both directions as the altitude and airspeed varied.  The First Officer was flying as the autopilot disconnected due to high-speed protection mode.  I was attempting to talk to ATC but communication was difficult due to the aircraft movement.  Once I established communication we were cleared continued down to FL310.   I advised ATC of the turbulence and the inability of controlling our altitude.Once we were out of this situation I contacted the flight attendants to see if we had any injuries.  We had one flight attendant injured by the food cart landing on her leg.   No passengers reported any injuries.  I am told the carts rose up under a foot in the turbulence.  The purser was able to just get in her seat as it began.  The turbulence lasted 30 -45 seconds in my estimate (it is only an estimate).The flight attendant injured her leg. It was cut and scraped from the cart.  A nurse was on the flight. She went and checked on her and her partner.  They determined it was ok to continue destination.  They both stated they hit their heads; without any signs of concussion are what I was told.We wrote up the observed airspeed deviation as well as the turbulence encounter.
Airspeed began rapidly increasing and the plane began to climb; eventually reaching at least FL357 before nosing over to descend. Autopilot kicked off as the plane was being rocked to approximately 20 degrees bank on either side. We saw at least 10 knots overspeed; and .83 mach; which lasted for 30-45 seconds. I didn't perceive the plane was actually under control again until we descended well below FL340.
An A319 flight crew reported a Flight Attendant was injured when they encountered severe turbulence at FL350.