AMERICA WEST AIRLINES
Also recorded as: AMERICA WEST AIRLINES
Accident & enforcement record
Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.
NTSB accidents & incidents
21 records, spanning 1987–2003.
Operated by America West Airlines, Inc. (per NTSB report)
The flight's encounter with convectively induced turbulence associated with developing thunderstorms while the flight crew attempted to deviate around an area of adverse weather. The turbulence event occurred while the crew was attempting to maneuver around the identified primary buildup, and a secondary system that was partially masked by the primary cell visually and on radar was encountered.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
The captain's failure to maintain directional control and his inadvertent application of asymmetrical engine thrust while attempting to move the #1 thrust lever out of reverse. A factor in the accident was the crew's inadequate coordination and crew resource management.
Operated by America West Airlines Inc. (per NTSB report)
the #1 engine's fatigue failure of the #3 bearing due to the manufacturer's inadequate design of the high-pressure compressor stubshaft coating, which resulted in a loss of engine power and an emergency landing.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
The en route cruise encounter with forecast moderate turbulence.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
The airline's failure to fully review the obstruction clearances and revise the pushback procedures in an area of the ramp where new construction had impinged on the available ramp space. Also causal was the failure of the tug driver and the wing walkers to maintain adequate communications during the pushback. A factor in the accident was the failure of the airline to follow its own internal decision processes when implementing the procedural change on this ramp.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
the systemic failure of the airline's maintenance department to identify and correct the long standing history of intermittent faults, nuisance warnings, and erratic behavior in this airplane's GPWS system. Also causal is the airline's failure to perform the service bulletins and service letter upgrades to the system, which would have eliminated or greatly reduced the likelihood of this particular nuisance warning, a condition that was identified and corrected by the manufacturers 11 years prior to the accident, and was the subject of one or more of the SB/SL upgrades.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
the failure of the injured passengers to remain seated with their seat belts fastened as directed by the captain.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
The failure of the flight crew and the tug driver to verify that the aircraft was properly configured for pushback. Factors in the accident were the left wing walker's failure to notify the tug driver of his observations that the jet bridge was still in contact with the aircraft, and, self induced pressure on the part of the captain created by a chain of circumstances surrounding the numerous delays.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
a failure of the external o-rings in the nose landing gear steering module.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
The injured passenger's failure to follow the instructions of the cabin attendants.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
The failure of the second and third flight attendants to comply with instructions to remain seated in anticipation of turbulence.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
inadequate service provided by the TRACON controller, by issuing a radar vector to the Boeing 737 flight, which resulted in inadequate separation from a Beech 99 that the controller had just terminated from radar service; and failure of the controller to provide adequate traffic/safety advisories to the Boeing 737 crew. Additional causes were the delayed initiation of a TCAS evasive maneuver by the first officer (copilot) of the Boeing 737, and failure of the Boeing 737 Captain to adequately supervise the response of the first officer to the TCAS resolution advisory. Inadequate visual lookout by the Beech 99 pilot was a related factor.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
the pilot-in-command's failure to comply with company procedures/directives to not taxi the aircraft beneath the bridge/overpass, and his misjudgment of clearance between the vertical stabilizer and the bridge/overpass.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
maintenance personnel inadvertently overservicing the left main landing gear strut with nitrogen that, during rotation with the aircraft weight on the strut reduced, gave the pilots a rolling sensation to the right.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
the failure of the headset operator to adhere to established company safety procedures when he diverted his attention during pushback. A factor in the accident was the airline's failure to modify its ground handling procedures and equipment to eliminate the need for ground personnel to be in close proximity to the aircraft landing gear during pushback operations.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
A FAILURE BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ATTAIN A STABILZED APPROACH. FACTORS WERE THE FOG AND FAILURE OF THE COPILOT TO MONITOR THE APPROACH.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
AN UNSECURED CART. THE FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TURBULENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER ROTATION DURING TAKEOFF.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC. (per NTSB report)
FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR'S MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO DETECT AN ELECTRICAL WIRE WHICH HAD CHAFED AGAINST A HYDRAULIC LINE AND WHICH EVENTUALLY ARCED CAUSING A LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC LINE AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE AND HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE. IN ADDITION, PREVIOUS WEAR OF CHECK VALVES IN THE BACKUP HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS PREVENTED THE AIRPLANE FROM STOPPING ON THE RUNWAY. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER'S INADEQUATE GUIDANCE FOR MAINTAINING THE HYDRAULIC COMPONENTS.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
THE GROUND HANDLER IMPROPERLY CROSSING UNDER THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IT WAS MOVING.
Operated by AMERICA WEST AIRLINES (per NTSB report)
FAILURE OF THE QUALIFIED MECHANIC TO INSURE THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BRAKES PRIOR TO TAXIING AND HIS FAILURE TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENY BRAKE SYSTEM TO PREVENT THE COLLISION. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DECISION OF AIRLINE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISORS TO ALLOW A NON-QUALIFIED MECHANIC TO PERFORM RIGHT SEAT/FLIGHT ENGINEER PANEL DUTIES. ALSO CONTRIBUTING WAS THE QUALIFIED MECHANICS FAILURE TO USE THE AIRCRAFT'S INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR CROSS REFERENCE OF TAXI SPEED.
FAA enforcement actions
No FAA enforcement actions linked to this operator.
Maintenance disclosure history
No maintenance difficulty reports on file. Note: SDR filing is largely voluntary, so absence is not evidence of a clean maintenance history.
Linked aircraft
| N-number | Make / model | Year | Status | Link basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N155AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N166AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N184AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N198AW | RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY 1900D | 1997 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N304AW | XAG P100 PRO | — | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N306AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N313AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N328AW | DJI AGRAS T30 | — | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N627AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N628AW | PIPER PA-23-160 | 1959 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N635AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N640AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N644AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N814AW | AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A319-132 | 2000 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N901AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N902AW | DJI AGRAS T50 | — | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N904AW | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N910AW | BOEING 757-2G7 | 1989 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate
Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.
- N644AW — records 2003 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N635AW — records 2002 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N814AW (AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A319-132) — records 2001 · registered to WILMINGTON TRUST CO TRUSTEE (owner ≠ operator)
- N910AW (BOEING 757-2G7) — records 1999–2000 · registered to SUNDOWN AIRCRAFT LLC (owner ≠ operator)
- N627AW — records 1999 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N904AW — records 1999 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N628AW (PIPER PA-23-160) — records 1999 · registered to HOBART AVIATION INC (owner ≠ operator)
- N640AW — records 1999 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N328AW (DJI AGRAS T30) — records 1998 · registered to STEELE MICHAEL W (owner ≠ operator)
- N313AW — records 1997 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N902AW (DJI AGRAS T50) — records 1989–1997 · registered to WENINGER FARMS INC (owner ≠ operator)
- N155AW — records 1995 · no longer on the FAA registry
6 more aircraft
- N901AW — records 1994 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N166AW — records 1993 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N304AW (XAG P100 PRO) — records 1991 · registered to WILSON JOSHUA HOWARD (owner ≠ operator)
- N306AW — records 1990 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N198AW (RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY 1900D) — records 1989 · registered to CSI AVIATION INC (owner ≠ operator)
- N184AW — records 1987 · no longer on the FAA registry