# NTSB DCA16CA209: Airbus A319 115, N9010R, Grand Cayman Island (GCM), Cayman Islands, August 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2016, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Grand Cayman Island (GCM), Cayman Islands - Coordinates: 19, -81 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.0000&lon=-81.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 7 minor, 121 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 93769 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93769/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93769 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA209 ## 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 A319-115, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md?model=3940034), [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-descent: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus A319-115, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=3940034), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis On August 3, 2016 at 7:45 pm eastern daylight time, American Airlines flight 1007, an Airbus A319, N9010R, encountered clear air turbulence on descent to the Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM), George Town, Cayman Islands. As a result of the turbulence, one passenger received serious injuries and four passengers and three flight attendants received minor injuries. None of the other passengers and crew were injured and the airplane was not damaged. The operator reported that while over international waters, the flight experienced moderate to severe turbulence for approximately 6-8 seconds while descending through FL180 into GCM. Both the autopilot and weather radar were on and operating at the time. The flight was in visual meteorological conditions and the crew had no warning of turbulence. The seat belt sign was on and had been on for approximately 10 minutes before the turbulence event occurred. The flight landed safely without further incident. The injured passenger was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a fractured vertebra. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2016 at 7:45 pm eastern daylight time, American Airlines flight 1007, an Airbus A319, N9010R, encountered clear air turbulence on descent to the Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM), George Town, Cayman Islands. As a result of the turbulence, one passenger received serious injuries and four passengers and three flight attendants received minor injuries. None of the other passengers and crew were injured and the airplane was not damaged. The operator reported that while over international waters, the flight experienced moderate to severe turbulence for approximately 6-8 seconds while descending through FL180 into GCM. Both the autopilot and weather radar were on and operating at the time. The flight was in visual meteorological conditions and the crew had no warning of turbulence. The seat belt sign was on and had been on for approximately 10 minutes before the turbulence event occurred. The flight landed safely without further incident. The injured passenger was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a fractured vertebra. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9010R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9010R), registered now, S/N 5789, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBUS A319 115 (115) - Registry model: [Airbus A319-115](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-a319-115) (registry code 3940034) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-5B6 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-5b6-series) (registry code 13017, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5789 - Year built: 2013 - Engines: CFM INTL CFM56-5B6; CFM INTL CFM56-5B6 - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: American Airlines - Registered owner: American Airlines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: Grand Cayman Island (GCM), CBCJ - Destination: GCM, Grand Cayman Island - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 28, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 6,056 total, 1,007 in this make and model, 961 as pilot in command - Co-pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 537 total, 65 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 100° at 20 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Turbulence: Moderate ## Other investigations on N9010R (1) 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. - [NTSB ENG26LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG26LA018), Feb 11, 2026: Airbus A319 (N9010R), Charlotte, NC, incident, investigation ongoing ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 24, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93769. 600 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 600 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458903&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. --- 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.