Airbus A319-114 N325NB

Summary

On 15 April 2002 at about 17:55 local time, a Airbus A319-114 registered N325NB, operated by Northwest Airlines, Inc., was involved in an accident near Reno, Nevada, United States. 68 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

15 April 2002 at 17:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Reno, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Reno International (RNO)

Coordinates

39.4833, -119.7667

Aircraft

Airbus A319-114

Registration

N325NB

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Minneapolis → Reno

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA138

1 person was seriously injured.

The failure of an undetermined cabin crewmember to securely close an aft galley compartment door, which necessitated the injured crewmember leaving her seat to secure the compartment door.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane encountered moderate turbulence while descending for the approach into the airport and one flight attendant sustained serious injuries. The captain briefed the lead flight attendant on the expected turbulence encounter and asked that the cabin be secured early with everyone, including the flight attendants, in their seats and secured. A prearranged chime signal would notify the lead flight attendant that everyone should be in their seats. After the chime signal, everyone was seated and secured; however, a flight attendant seated in the rear of the airplane noticed that a galley upper door compartment had come open. This compartment was in line with both her head and another attendant's head, and she was concerned about objects coming out of the compartment during landing and injuring either one of them. She unfastened her restraints, got up, and secured the door. As she was returning to her seat, the airplane encountered a severe jolt, which violently slammed her into the ceiling, then the floor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.