Boeing 737
Phoenix, AZ — September 11, 2018
Event Information
| Date | September 11, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | DCA18CA289 |
| Event ID | 20180922X71035 |
| Location | Phoenix, AZ |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.44056, -111.83556 |
| Airport | Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | Boeing |
| Model | 737 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 121 |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NITE |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
an inadvertent encounter with wake turbulence.
Full Narrative
On September 10, 2018, at 9:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST), American Airlines flight 2197, a Boeing 737-800, N950NN, encountered wake turbulence while descending through 3,100 feet on approach to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX), Phoenix, Arizona. A flight attendant was securing items in the galley and was seriously injured as a result of the turbulence. There were no injuries to the other passengers or crew, and the airplane was not damaged. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA), Seattle, Washington, to KPHX.
According to the flight crew, the seat belt sign was on, and the "prepare for landing" announcement was made to the flight attendants. The airplane was approximately three miles behind a narrow body Airbus, in landing configuration when the turbulence occurred. After landing, the flight crew were notified that one of the flight attendants had been injured. Paramedics met the flight at the gate and the flight attendant was transported to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a broken left rib.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.