Airbus Industrie A319 112 accident near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 23, 2015
On November 23, 2015 at about 8:44 pm local time, a 1999 Airbus Industrie A319 112, registered N725UW, was involved in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
an inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 23, 2015 · about 8:44 pm local time
- Place
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Airbus Industrie A319 112 112, built 1999 · all A319 112s on the register
- Registration
- N725UW · registry record · serial 1135
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 23, 2015, at 1500 atlantic standard time, American Airlines flight 825, an Airbus A319, N725UW, encountered turbulence while in cruise from LF Wade International Airport (BDA), Hamilton, Bermuda, to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the operator, the flight crew had flown the previous outbound flight from PHL to BDL at FL390, during which they experienced continuous light to very occasional moderate turbulence. The captain conferred with the dispatcher before departure to PHL on the return flight and the dispatcher suggested FL280 for a smoother ride. The flight departed BDA and climbed uneventfully to FL280. During cruise, the flight crew requested and received approval for a slight course deviation for some showers and then turned back on course and was clear of all convective activity and experiencing a smooth ride. The flight then encountered what the crew described as "severe" turbulence that lasted 5-10 seconds. At the time of the event, the airplane was on autopilot and the seatbelt sign was not illuminated. When the turbulence was encountered, the flight attendants were thrown to the floor resulting in one receiving a broken ankle. One passenger also experienced a minor injury. There was no damage to the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Turbulence encounter during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Clear air turbulence › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,873 hours in all; 4,873 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 27, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,412 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 9, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 166,449 lb
- Seats: 132
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cfm Intl. CFM56 SERIES (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cfm Intl. CFM56 SERIES (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: American Airlines INC
The flight
- Departed from: BDA St. George Ge Cx at 6:26 pm
- Destination: PHL Philadelphia PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 75 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; a few clouds at 900 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 21, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Copilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.