# NTSB DCA23LA175: Airbus A319-132, N505NK, New Orleans, LA, February 16, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 16, 2023, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: New Orleans, LA - Coordinates: 29.993333, -90.258056 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9933&lon=-90.2581&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, 2 minor, 154 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): 106744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA23LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106744/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106744 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA175 ## Probable cause The flight’s encounter with convective turbulence. ## 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; cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=3940015), [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-descent: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus A319-132, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=3940015), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) ## Analysis Spirit Airlines flight 641 encountered convective turbulence while descending into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), New Orleans, Louisiana. As a result of the turbulence, all three flight attendants were injured with two receiving minor injuries and one receiving a serious injury. The aircraft continued to its destination without further incident. According to the captain, the flight crew completed the approach checklist and illuminated the seat belt sign when the airplane was at about flight level (FL)180. As the airplane passed through 12,000 feet, the first officer (FO) made an announcement to the flight attendants to prepare the cabin for landing. According to the lead flight attendant, she made the landing announcement to passengers while the other two flight attendants started final checks from the aft cabin. The lead flight attendant then started the final check from the front of the aircraft. When the lead flight attendant was between rows 6 and 9, the airplane descended through a cloud layer at about 7000 feet and experienced what was described as moderate turbulence by the flight crew. This turbulence led to all three flight attendants falling to the floor. All three flight attendants agreed they needed medical attention and notified the flight crew. The FO called operations and requested for paramedics to meet the airplane. The flight continued to its destination without further incident. Upon arrival at MSY, paramedics met the airplane at the gate, and all flight attendants received medical treatment. The lead flight attendant was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured ankle. Another flight attendant suffered minor injuries to their back and the third suffered minor injuries to their head. Both pilots stated that the cloud layer appeared stable with no vertical development, and there were no indications on the radar that suggested the risk of turbulence. A post-accident review of the weather conditions showed no pilot reports (PIREPs) for turbulence located within a 100 nm radius from the accident location within 2 hours of the accident time. There were no airman’s meteorological information (AIRMETs), significant meteorological information (SIGMETs), or Center Weather Advisories for turbulence or thunderstorm activity for the accident location. Based on weather satellite information and upper air sounding data, the flight encountered convective activity while traversing building cumulus clouds during the descent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N505NK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N505NK-2024-06-10), registration cancelled 2024-06-10, S/N 2485, built 2005 (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 V2500SERIES](https://openairdocs.org/engine/iae-v2500series) (registry code 34601, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2485 - Year built: 2005 - Engines: IAE V2524-A5 24798 lbs thrust turbo fan; IAE V2524-A5 24798 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 - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 15, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 6,100 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 2,645 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 21, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,256 total, 356 in this make and model, 1,315 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Cabin crew; injuries: serious; restraint: none - Cabin crew; injuries: none; seat: left; restraint: none - Cabin crew; injuries: minor; seat: right; restraint: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KMSY, 30 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106744. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15236630&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1web_Reader%20FA%20Injury_Redacted-Rel.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.