Sunday, July 01, 2018

Spirit Airlines, Airbus A321-231, N670NK: Accident occurred December 06, 2017 at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (KFLL), Broward County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket  - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N670NK

Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Accident Number: DCA18CA055
Date & Time: 12/06/2017, 0307 UTC
Registration: N670NK
Aircraft: AIRBUS A321 231
Aircraft Damage: None
Defining Event: Turbulence encounter
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor, 100 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air Carrier - Scheduled

Analysis

On December 6, 2017, about 2207 eastern standard time, Spirit Airlines flight NKS265, an Airbus 321-231, N670NK, encountered turbulence during approach to land at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (KFLL), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. One flight attendant received a serious injury and 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 Atlantic City International Airport (KACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey, to KFLL.

According to the flight crew, the flight encounter the severe turbulence while descending through about 12,000 shortly after entering instrument meteorological conditions. There had been no reports of turbulence in the area and the seat belt sign was activated.

At the time of the turbulence encounter, the flight attendants (FA) were conducting their final cabin checks when all five FAs were thrown to the floor. One FA sustained an ankle injury and remained on the floor for the remainder of the flight. After landing, all five FAs were transported to the hospital where the FA was diagnosed with a medial and posterior malleolar fracture.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
an inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence that resulted in a flight attendant injury. 

Findings

Environmental issues
Convective turbulence - Effect on personnel (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute-descent
Turbulence encounter (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 45, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/13/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/06/2017
Flight Time:  14300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3700 hours (Total, this make and model), 7300 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 80 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Co-Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 28, Male
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/15/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/28/2017
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AIRBUS 
Registration: N670NK
Model/Series: A321 231 231
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Transport
Serial Number: 7106
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 205030 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Fan
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: IAE
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: V2533-A5
Registered Owner: SPIRIT AIRLINES INC
Rated Power: 11990 hp
Operator: SPIRIT AIRLINES INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Flag carrier (121)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: GTIA 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: Unknown
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Atlantic City, NJ (ACY)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 2003 EST
Type of Airspace:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor, 5 None
Aircraft Damage: None
Passenger Injuries: 95 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor, 100 None
Latitude, Longitude: 26.072500, -80.152778 (est)

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