American A319 near Denver on Feb 14th 2016, turbulence injures passenger
Last Update: April 25, 2020 / 16:24:01 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Feb 14, 2016
Classification
Accident
Cause
Turbulence
Airline
American Airlines
Flight number
AA-476
Departure
Phoenix, United States
Destination
Minneapolis, United States
Aircraft Registration
N827AW
Aircraft Type
Airbus A319
ICAO Type Designator
A319
On Feb 16th 2016 the FAA reported the passenger received serious injuries, the occurrence was rated an accident.
On Nov 30th 2017 the NTSB reported they have opened an investigation into the accident, investigators are using data of various entities like the FAA, the investigators are not going to travel in support of the investigation.
On Apr 25th 2020 the NTSB relesed their final report concluding the probable cause of the accident was:
an encounter with turbulence that resulted in a serious injury to a passenger who was standing when the fasten seatbelt sign was illuminated.
The NTSB wrote:
The flight crew stated that at FL350, prior to their planned top-of-descent, Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) informed them to expect light turbulence during the descent through about FL280. The captain made a public address announcement to the passengers and cabin crew to expect light turbulence so to fasten their seatbelts. The seatbelt sign was on at that time, and had been on most of the flight due to light turbulence. As the flight was descending through about FL310, the nose of the airplane dipped down and the airspeed increased, and to avoid an overspeed the pilot flying pitched the nose up and deployed the speed brakes. Subsequently, they received a call from the flight attendants that a passenger had been injured after having stood up "to stretch" just before the turbulence. After arriving at the gate, the passenger was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken leg.
Aircraft Registration Data
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Feb 14, 2016
Classification
Accident
Cause
Turbulence
Airline
American Airlines
Flight number
AA-476
Departure
Phoenix, United States
Destination
Minneapolis, United States
Aircraft Registration
N827AW
Aircraft Type
Airbus A319
ICAO Type Designator
A319
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
Fleet type match
American A319 near Charlotte on Feb 11th 2026, both generators failed, RAT deployed
An American Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N9010R performing flight AA-3249 from Fort Lauderdale,FL to Washington National,DC (USA), was…
Fleet type match
American A321 near Baltimore on Mar 5th 2026, electrical problems, RAT deployed
An American Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N556UW performing flight AA-1193 from Philadelphia,PA to Salt Lake City,UT (USA), was climbing…
Fleet type match
American A21N near Tucson on Apr 13th 2026, unruly oven
An American Airlines Airbus A321-200N, registration N437AN performing flight AA-1429 from Phoenix,AZ to Miami,FL (USA), was enroute at FL330 about…
Fleet type match
American A319 near Miami on Mar 19th 2026, dropped engine cowling
An American Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N725UW performing flight AA-1181 from Miami,FL (USA) to Fort-De-France (Martinique), was climbing…
Fleet type match
American A320 at San Antonio on Feb 27th 2026, police helicopter crosses final approach
An American Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration N669AW performing flight AA-1657 from Charlotte,NC to San Antonio,TX (USA), was on final approach…
Newest articles
Fleet type match
Ryanair B738 near Amsterdam on May 11th 2026, medical situation, cockpit secured, first officer responsive
A Ryanair Boeing 737-800, registration EI-EKM performing flight FR-7665 from Warsaw (Poland) to Leeds,EN (UK), was enroute at FL380 about 130nm…
Fleet type match
BAW A320 at Edinburgh on May 11th 2026, first officer incapacitated
A BAW British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUYW performing flight BA-1458 from London Heathrow,EN to Edinburgh,SC (UK), was descending…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
SafetyScan Pro provides streamlined access to thousands of aviation accident reports. Tailored for your safety management efforts. Book your demo today
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways