Airbus A320-232 N655AW

Summary

On 12 June 2000 at about 20:14 local time, a Airbus A320-232 registered N655AW was involved in an accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. 152 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 June 2000 at 20:14

Classification

Accident

Location

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

McCarran International (LAS)

Coordinates

36.2509, -115.0408

Aircraft

Airbus A320-232

Registration

N655AW

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Columbus

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX00LA223

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the mechanic to refasten the cowling door prior to returning the aircraft to service.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During takeoff, as the airplane accelerated through takeoff rotation speed (Vr), the outboard, forward cowl door on the left (number 1) engine separated from the engine nacelle and struck the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported there had been an abnormal vibration as the aircraft accelerated through Vr. Several passengers pressed their flight attendant call buttons and alerted the flight attendants who, in turn, reported the cowling separation to the cockpit crew. The return for landing at the departure airport was unremarkable. The cowl door over-center type latches on the inboard door were found latched, however, the hooks were intact and undamaged. Similarly, the latch receptacles on the outboard door were visibly undamaged. The latches were painted red. An "RON-check" (Remain Over Night) had been performed during hours of darkness the previous night, which required that the cowling doors be opened. In the morning, the aircraft was handed over from the maintenance graveyard shift to the day shift. Maintenance items remained to be completed in areas of the aircraft other than the number 1 engine. The takeoff where the cowling separated was the first flight following return to service.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.