# NTSB DCA16CA023: Airbus Industrie A319 112, N725UW, Philadelphia, PA, November 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 23, 2015, 15:44 local (20:44 UTC) - Place: Philadelphia, PA - Coordinates: 39.880832, -75.253051 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8808&lon=-75.2531&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 92360 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92360/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92360 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA023 ## Probable cause an inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence: clear air turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A319-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md?model=3930323), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A319-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=3930323), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis On November 23, 2015, at 1500 atlantic standard time, American Airlines flight 825, an Airbus A319, N725UW, encountered turbulence while in cruise from LF Wade International Airport (BDA), Hamilton, Bermuda, to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the operator, the flight crew had flown the previous outbound flight from PHL to BDL at FL390, during which they experienced continuous light to very occasional moderate turbulence. The captain conferred with the dispatcher before departure to PHL on the return flight and the dispatcher suggested FL280 for a smoother ride. The flight departed BDA and climbed uneventfully to FL280. During cruise, the flight crew requested and received approval for a slight course deviation for some showers and then turned back on course and was clear of all convective activity and experiencing a smooth ride. The flight then encountered what the crew described as "severe" turbulence that lasted 5-10 seconds. At the time of the event, the airplane was on autopilot and the seatbelt sign was not illuminated. When the turbulence was encountered, the flight attendants were thrown to the floor resulting in one receiving a broken ankle. One passenger also experienced a minor injury. There was no damage to the airplane. ## Factual narrative On November 23, 2015, at 1500 atlantic standard time, American Airlines flight 825, an Airbus A319, N725UW, encountered turbulence while in cruise from LF Wade International Airport (BDA), Hamilton, Bermuda, to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the operator, the flight crew had flown the previous outbound flight from PHL to BDL at FL390, during which they experienced continuous light to very occasional moderate turbulence. The captain conferred with the dispatcher before departure to PHL on the return flight and the dispatcher suggested FL280 for a smoother ride. The flight departed BDA and climbed uneventfully to FL280. During cruise, the flight crew requested and received approval for a slight course deviation for some showers and then turned back on course and was clear of all convective activity and experiencing a smooth ride. The flight then encountered what the crew described as "severe" turbulence that lasted 5-10 seconds. At the time of the event, the airplane was on autopilot and the seatbelt sign was not illuminated. When the turbulence was encountered, the flight attendants were thrown to the floor resulting in one receiving a broken ankle. One passenger also experienced a minor injury. There was no damage to the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N725UW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N725UW), registered now, S/N 1135, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A319 112 (112) - Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A319-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a319-112) (registry code 3930323) (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: 1135 - Year built: 1999 - Engines: CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES turbo fan; CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: American Airlines Inc - Registered owner: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Na Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: BDA, St. George GE CX - Destination: PHL, Philadelphia, PA - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,873 total, 4,873 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 9, 2011; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,412 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 75 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92360. 634 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 601 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - CoPilot's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CoPilot%27s%20Statement-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.