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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 1, 1999 · Airbus Industrie A-320-232 · N640AW

Las Vegas, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 134 uninjured
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft
Airbus Industrie A-320-232
Tail Number
N640AW
Operator
America West Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
LAX99LA087

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On February 1, 1999, about 0710 hours Pacific standard time, a passenger sustained a fractured hip on America West Airlines Flight 5 while en route between Tampa, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada. The accident occurred while the aircraft was in cruise flight at flight level 310, approximately 1.5 hours after departure from Tampa. The aircraft, an Airbus A320-232, N640AW, was not damaged. The captain, first officer, 3 cabin attendants and the remaining 129 passengers were not injured. The operation was conducted under 14 CFR Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as a scheduled domestic passenger flight, which originated in Tampa at 0640 eastern standard time as a non-stop flight to Las Vegas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:10 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirbus Industrie A-320-232
Tail NumberN640AW
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerica West Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsInt'L Aero En · V2527 · Turbofan · 24800
Seats156

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 134 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured134
Total135
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 80 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data