Description

On 28 August 2002, an Airbus A320-200 being operated by America West had touched down in daylight at Phoenix following the completion of an uneventful scheduled service passenger flight when asymmetrical thrust prevented the flight crew from maintaining directional control of the aircraft which veered off the runway. The collapse of the nose landing gear and substantial damage to the forward fuselage followed but only one of the 159 occupants was seriously injured with 9 others receiving minor injuries.

The Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board (USA) (NTSB) carried out the Accident Investigation. Their Final Report stated that the aircraft had been released to service with an extant Acceptable Deferred Defect stating that the LH engine thrust reverser was inoperative. In accordance with Minimum Equipment List (MEL) requirements, it had been mechanically locked in the stowed position by maintenance personnel and a placard advising the inoperative status of subject reverser placed in the flight deck adjacent to the LH engine thrust lever.