Spirit A319 at New Orleans on Feb 16th 2023, turbulence injures three cabin crew

Last Update: July 20, 2023 / 11:22:32 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Spirit Airlines N505NK, Airbus A319 — Spirit Airlines N505NK, Airbus A319 (Photo credit: redlegsfan21 / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Feb 16, 2023

Classification
Accident

Airline
Spirit Airlines

Flight number
NK-641

Departure
Atlanta, United States

Destination
New Orleans, United States

Aircraft Registration
N505NK

Aircraft Type
Airbus A319

ICAO Type Designator
A319

Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans

Airport ICAO Code
KMSY

A Spirit Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N505NK performing flight NK-641 from Atlanta,GA to New Orleans,LA (USA), was on approach to New Orleans' runway 11 when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing injuries to 3 cabin crew. The aircraft continued for a safe landing a few minutes later.

The FAA reported (erroneously reporting flight 461 from Houston to Los Angeles): "AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE INJURYING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, NEW ORLEANS, LA", one flight attendant received serious, two minor injuries.

The aircraft remained on the ground for about 5 hours before returning to service.

On Jul 20th 2023 the NTSB released their final report and investigation docket concluding the probable cause of the accident was:

The flight’s encounter with convective turbulence.

The NTSB analysed:

Spirit Airlines flight 641 encountered convective turbulence while descending into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), New Orleans, Louisiana. As a result of the turbulence, all three flight attendants were injured with two receiving minor injuries and one receiving a serious injury. The aircraft continued to its destination without further incident.

According to the captain, the flight crew completed the approach checklist and illuminated the seat belt sign when the airplane was at about flight level (FL)180. As the airplane passed through 12,000 feet, the first officer (FO) made an announcement to the flight attendants to prepare the cabin for landing.

According to the lead flight attendant, she made the landing announcement to passengers while the other two flight attendants started final checks from the aft cabin. The lead flight attendant then started the final check from the front of the aircraft. When the lead flight attendant was between rows 6 and 9, the airplane descended through a cloud layer at about 7000 feet and experienced what was described as moderate turbulence by the flight crew. This turbulence led to all three flight attendants falling to the floor. All three flight attendants agreed they needed medical attention and notified the flight crew. The FO called operations and requested for paramedics to meet the airplane. The flight continued to its destination without further incident. Upon arrival at MSY, paramedics met the airplane at the gate, and all flight attendants received medical treatment.

The lead flight attendant was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured ankle. Another flight attendant suffered minor injuries to their back and the third suffered minor injuries to their head.

Both pilots stated that the cloud layer appeared stable with no vertical development, and there were no indications on the radar that suggested the risk of turbulence. A post-accident review of the weather conditions showed no pilot reports (PIREPs) for turbulence located within a 100 nm radius from the accident location within 2 hours of the accident time.

There were no airman’s meteorological information (AIRMETs), significant meteorological information (SIGMETs), or Center Weather Advisories for turbulence or thunderstorm activity for the accident location. Based on weather satellite information and upper air sounding data, the flight encountered convective activity while traversing building cumulus clouds during the descent.

Metars:
KMSY 161453Z 16015G23KT 8SM SCT011 BKN014 BKN023 23/21 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP148 T02280206 50007=
KMSY 161449Z 15014G23KT 8SM SCT011 BKN014 BKN023 23/21 A2996 RMK AO2=
KMSY 161353Z 15014G24KT 7SM SCT008 BKN029 BKN100 22/21 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP146 T02170206=
KMSY 161340Z 15015G22KT 7SM SCT008 BKN029 BKN100 22/21 A2995 RMK AO2 T02170206=
KMSY 161253Z 15013G20KT 5SM BR BKN007 BKN100 21/21 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP141 T02110206=
KMSY 161153Z 15010KT 6SM BR OVC006 21/20 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02110200 10211 20200 56002=
KMSY 161053Z 15011KT 6SM BR OVC008 21/20 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP141 T02110200=
KMSY 161011Z 13011KT 8SM OVC009 21/19 A2992 RMK AO2 T02060194=
KMSY 160953Z 14011KT 8SM BKN010 OVC014 21/20 A2992 RMK AO2 CIG 008V012 SLP134 T02110200=