Incident Overview
On February 13, 2010, at approximately 1445 Pacific standard time, a Boeing 737-7H4, registration N221WN, operated by Southwest Airlines as Flight 2534, performed abrupt maneuvering while on radar vectors for initial approach to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California. The aircraft was about 20 miles northwest of Burbank at the time. The flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 121, originated from Las Vegas, Nevada, at 1354 and was conducted under instrument flight rules in visual meteorological conditions.
Crew and Occupants
The flight crew consisted of an Airline Transport Pilot captain and an ATP first officer. The captain was the pilot flying, and the first officer was the pilot monitoring. On board were 80 passengers and three flight attendants. Two flight attendants sustained injuries: one minor and one serious (a fractured left scapula). The captain, first officer, the remaining flight attendant, and all passengers were not injured. The aircraft was not damaged.
Sequence of Events
According to the captain, the approach air traffic controller issued a clearance to fly a 190-degree heading and descend to and maintain 6,000 feet. The captain set the heading in the heading window and selected 6,000 feet in the altitude window of the mode control panel, which was verified by the first officer.
During the descent, the controller provided a traffic information alert for traffic at the flight's 11 o'clock position and about 4 miles away. The flight crew began scanning for the traffic and received a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) traffic advisory (TA) indicating the traffic was approximately 500 feet below the aircraft's altitude. The captain stated he began to shallow the rate of descent to the assigned altitude of 6,000 feet to avoid the traffic.
Subsequently, the controller advised the flight crew to check the heading. The captain noticed he had inadvertently allowed the airplane to turn to a 163-degree heading. He immediately initiated a turn back to the assigned heading of 190 degrees. During the turn, the crew received a TCAS resolution alert (RA) to descend at 1,500 to 2,000 feet per minute, followed by a command to climb at 2,000 fpm.
The captain reported that the RA commands were followed. During the climb portion, the crew observed traffic ahead about 2 miles away and slightly higher in altitude. The captain responded by making a shallow turn to the right to avoid the traffic.
Crew and Cabin Status
At the time of the event, all passengers were seated with their seatbelts fastened. The three flight attendants were standing in the aft galley making final preparations for landing. One flight attendant sustained a fractured left scapula. No further details regarding injuries were provided.
Aircraft Condition
The Boeing 737-7H4 was not damaged during the incident.