# NTSB DCA16CA202: Airbus A321 231, N104NN, Jamaica, NY, June 12, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 12, 2016, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Jamaica, NY
- Coordinates: 40.644165, -73.787223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6442&lon=-73.7872&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 109 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93662/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93662
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA202

## Probable cause

an encounter with convective turbulence that resulted in a flight attendant injury.

## Findings

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

- [Turbulence: convective turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus A321-231, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=3940032), [All aircraft, 145 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus A321-231, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=3940032), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md)

## Analysis

On June 12, 2016, about 1645 eastern daylight time, American Airlines flight 117, an Airbus A321, N104NN, encountered turbulence in cruise flight at FL170 that resulted in one flight attendant receiving a serious injury. The other 109 passengers and crew members onboard were not injured. The airplane was not damaged. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York, New York, to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, California. The captain stated that after takeoff the he advised the cabin crew to remain in their jumpseats due to possible turbulence. A few minutes later, he announced it was safe to move about the cabin. The captain further stated that seat belt sign was still illuminated at the time of the event, and there were no visible indications of any convective activity in the area. The Captain said that he did not think of this event further, until he was later contacted by a flight attendant who stated that she had been thrown sideways during the turbulence event, and had been injured as a result. The Flight Attendant stated that she did not think much of the incident or injury and she flew for another four days. She then went to her doctor since her ankle was not getting any better and was diagnosed with a fractured foot.

## Factual narrative

On June 12, 2016, about 1645 eastern daylight time, American Airlines flight 117, an Airbus A321, N104NN, encountered turbulence in cruise flight at FL170 that resulted in one flight attendant receiving a serious injury. The other 109 passengers and crew members onboard were not injured. The airplane was not damaged. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York, New York, to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, California. The captain stated that after takeoff the he advised the cabin crew to remain in their jumpseats due to possible turbulence. A few minutes later, he announced it was safe to move about the cabin. The captain further stated that seat belt sign was still illuminated at the time of the event, and there were no visible indications of any convective activity in the area. The Captain said that he did not think of this event further, until he was later contacted by a flight attendant who stated that she had been thrown sideways during the turbulence event, and had been injured as a result. The Flight Attendant stated that she did not think much of the incident or injury and she flew for another four days. She then went to her doctor since her ankle was not getting any better and was diagnosed with a fractured foot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N104NN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N104NN), registered now, S/N 5895, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS A321 231 (231)
- Registry model: [Airbus A321-231](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-a321-231) (registry code 3940032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [IAE V2533-A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/iae-v2533-a5) (registry code 34611, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5895
- Year built: 2013
- Engines: IAE V2533-A5 11990 horsepower turbo fan; IAE V2533-A5 11990 horsepower turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Na Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: JFK, New York, NY
- Destination: LAX, Los Angeles, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 8,247 total, 1,988 in this make and model, 1,963 as pilot in command
- Co-pilot; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 6,181 total, 578 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 22 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Turbulence: Moderate

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93662. 695 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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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