# NTSB DCA15CA125: Airbus Industrie A320 212, N334NW, Atlanta, GA, May 23, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 23, 2015, 16:41 local (20:41 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.636665, -84.42778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6367&lon=-84.4278&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 146 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA15CA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91225/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91225
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15CA125

## Probable cause

the flight attendant's failure to secure her lap belt and shoulder harness prior to the takeoff that resulted in her being thrown from her jumpseat shortly after takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Cabin crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A320-212, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3930322), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Physical workspace: positioning/available space](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A320-212, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010/cases.md?model=3930322), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041010/cases.md)
- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Cabin crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A320-212, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=3930322), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A320-212, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=3930322), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After completing her pre-takeoff safety check of the cabin, the flight attendant (FA) sat down in the jumpseat but reported that her lap buckle was stuck under the seat bottom and so was unable to secure her harness during the takeoff roll. After takeoff and in the initial climb, the FA stood up to release the buckle from the seat bottom and then before she was able to buckle her seatbelt, was thrown from her seat onto the galley floor injuring her side. The FA was assisted back to her seat and was unable to complete her duties. The flight returned to the departure airport where emergency medical technicians met the plane. The injured FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with two fractured ribs.

## Factual narrative

After completing her pre-takeoff safety check of the cabin, the flight attendant (FA) sat down in the jumpseat but reported that her lap buckle was stuck under the seat bottom and so was unable to secure her harness during the takeoff roll. After takeoff and in the initial climb, the FA stood up to release the buckle from the seat bottom and then before she was able to buckle her seatbelt, was thrown from her seat onto the galley floor injuring her side. The FA was assisted back to her seat and was unable to complete her duties. The flight returned to the departure airport where emergency medical technicians met the plane. The injured FA was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with two fractured ribs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N334NW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N334NW), registered now, S/N 339, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320 212 (212)
- Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A320-212](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a320-212) (registry code 3930322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 339
- Year built: 1992
- Engines: CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES turbo fan; CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: Atlanta, GA
- Destination: Vancouver
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review April 29, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 16,749 total, 5,951 in this make and model
- Co-pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review February 24, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 11,592 total, 9,079 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observed at: KATL

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 3, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91225. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431391&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Crew Statements (item 2, .PDF, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431392&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crew%20Statements-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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