Airbus A321 accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, September 30, 2025
On September 30, 2025 at about 11:17 pm local time, a 2016 Airbus A321, registered N670NK, was involved in an accident during enroute (descent) near Las Vegas, Nevada. It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 154 others were unhurt. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s encounter with turbulence during descent resulting in a serious injury to a flight attendant who was standing at the time of the encounter.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 2025 · about 11:17 pm local time
- Place
- Las Vegas, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 154 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Airbus A321 231, built 2016 · all A321s on the register
- Registration
- N670NK · registry record · serial 7106
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Spirit Airlines flight 2045 encountered turbulence during descent into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada, causing injury to two flight attendants (FAs). The encounter occurred while the FAs were preparing the cabin for landing. According to the flight crew, while flying the CHOWW4 arrival into LAS, they observed cumulous clouds along their flight path but did not observe any returns on the weather radar, nor on their electronic flight bag (EFB) weather application. In addition, there were no pilot reports (PIREPS) for the area. Due to the cumulous clouds in the distance, they decided it would be safer to seat the flight attendants and passengers early. At approximately 22,000 feet, the flight crew turned ON the fasten seat belt sign and the captain communicated to the lead FA they might encounter turbulence. The lead FA informed the flight crew that they had already conducted passenger briefings and were seated. While descending through 17,000 feet, the airplane penetrated a cloud and encountered approximately 3 seconds of turbulence. The flight crew reported the turbulence to air traffic control and requested to slow the airplane. At that time, the flight crew was informed that a FA in the aft cabin was injured. The flight crew coordinated with airport operations to have emergency medical personnel meet the flight at the gate. The flight continued to LAS and landed without further incident. According to the FAs, they had completed trash pickup and the injured FA elected to use the lavatory prior to initial descent. While in the aft lavatory, the FA heard an announcement from the flight crew but did not hear the announcement clearly. While standing in the lavatory, the airplane encountered turbulence and the FA fell on the floor, injured her leg, and was unable to stand. The injured FA was assisted to their jumpseat and evaluated by an onboard medical professional. The medical professional sat on the floor in the galley near the injured FA during landing. After arriving at the gate, the injured FA was transported to the hospital and was diagnosed with a fractured ankle bone. One additional FA fell during the event and was transported to the hospital; they were released with minor injuries. No other injuries were reported and 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 (descent) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Clear air turbulence › Effect on personnel
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Clear air turbulence › Availability of related info
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,191 hours in all; 4,544 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 5,681 as pilot in command; 706 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 24, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 9,081 hours in all; 4,953 in this make and model; 138 in the last 90 days; 61 in the last 30 days; 1,750 as pilot in command; 1,375 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 9, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Cabin Crew
- Seat: unk
- Injury: minor injuries
Cabin Crew
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 29,930 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, September 30, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 205,029 lb
- Seats: 230
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: International Aero Engines (Ia V2500-A5 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: International Aero Engines (Ia V2500-A5 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Spirit Airlines LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KDTW Detroit MI
- Destination: KLAS Las Vegas NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 147 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 21, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Flight Attendant Statements | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N670NK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.