Airbus A-320-232 N640AW

Summary

On 1 February 1999 at about 15:10 local time, a Airbus A-320-232 registered N640AW, operated by America West Airlines, Inc., was involved in an accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. 135 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 February 1999 at 15:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Airbus A-320-232

Registration

N640AW

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

America West Airlines, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tampa → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99LA087

1 person was seriously injured.

The injured passenger's failure to follow the instructions of the cabin attendants.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the statements of the three cabin attendants and the flight crew, the aircraft had been in light to moderate turbulence for most of the flight. The seat belt sign was illuminated and several public address system announcements had been made for the passengers to remain seated with their seat belts fastened. The flight and cabin crewmembers reported that at the time of the incident the turbulence had abated and the ride was smooth; however, the seat belt sign remained illuminated. A 70-year-old male passenger in seat 23C got up and began walking toward the aft lavatory. One cabin attendant told the passenger to return to his seat unless it was an absolute necessity to visit the lavatory. The passenger, who has two artificial legs, declined to follow the cabin attendant's instruction and continued to the aft galley area where he fell, fracturing his hip. The crew obtained medical advice by radio from Med Link, and, after consultation with a physician, the aircraft continued to its destination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.