# NTSB DCA23LA060: Airbus A319, N519NK, New Orleans, LA, November 3, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 2, 2022, 21:40 local (Nov 3, 2022, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA · (Destination airport)
- Coordinates: 29.993278, -90.259028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9933&lon=-90.2590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 115 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA23LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106309/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA060

## Probable cause

The captain’s pitch up input to avoid an overspeed condition, which resulted in a flight attendant falling and fracturing her ankle. Contributing was the airplane’s excessive airspeed during the transition to the automation-managed descent profile.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: use of automation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Copilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063010/cases.md?model=3940015), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3940015), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=3940015), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)
- [Knowledge](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032000): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Cabin crew; cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032000/cases.md?model=3940015), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032000/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Copilot; cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3940015), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md?model=3940015), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Enroute-descent: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=3940015), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the flight crew, the airplane was descending to land with the autopilot configured to intercept a managed flight path profile. The airplane was descending in "Vertical Speed” mode at 500 feet per minute, with the airspeed set for 300 knots. As the airplane approached the profile, the crew selected “Managed Descent” mode and the airplane nosed over rapidly to intercept the descending flight path. The first officer checked the altimeter setting and then noticed that the airspeed indicator was approaching the maximum allowable airspeed; he then deployed the speed brakes to about 50%. Simultaneously, the captain took control of the airplane, disengaged the autopilot, and pitched up to avoid an overspeed condition. The crew then reset the automation and commenced a deliberate slow down. Shortly thereafter, the cabin crew called and advised that one of the flight attendants was injured during the maneuver. A flight attendant who was securing carts in the aft galley was hoisted into the air and landed on her left foot, fracturing her ankle. The remainder of the flight continued without incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N519NK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N519NK-2024-06-15), registration cancelled 2024-06-15, S/N 2723, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS A319 (132)
- Registry model: [Airbus A319-132](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-a319-132) (registry code 3940015) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [IAE V2524-A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/iae-v2524-a5) (registry code 34608, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2723
- Year built: 2006
- Engines: IAE V2524-A5 24480 lbs thrust turbo fan; IAE V2524-A5 24480 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Spirit Airlines Inc
- Registered owner: Spirit Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: ATL, Atlanta, GA
- Destination: MSY, New Orleans, LA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 10,410 total, 1,476 in this make and model, 4,719 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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