Synopsis
A scheduled passenger flight from Milan, Italy to Dublin, Ireland, operated by an Airbus A320-214 (registration EI-CVA), was in cruise at Flight Level (FL) 380 on 7 September 2012. At 20:30 UTC, while over the London Flight Information Region approximately 120 nautical miles southeast of Dublin, the flight crew received an initial clearance to descend to FL340. However, FL240 was set in the altitude window of the Flight Control Unit. During the descent, the crew queried the cleared level and confirmed FL340 as the aircraft approached that altitude. The autopilot was disconnected and a manual control input was made to level off rapidly. The resulting pitch change caused a cabin crew member stationed in the aft galley to sustain a broken ankle. The aircraft made a normal landing at Dublin at 20:51 UTC after a PAN call was transmitted.
History of the Flight
The flight departed Milan Malpensa Airport at 18:44 UTC with 6 crew and 62 passengers. The descent from FL380 began at 20:28 UTC. Four minutes later, while descending in Open Descent mode, the aircraft was abruptly levelled at FL340. The cabin crew member (CCM No. 3) was injured. A PAN call was made, and the aircraft received traffic priority for landing.
Interviews
Commander (Pilot Flying)
The commander reported that confusion arose over the actual cleared level. ATC confirmed the clearance was to FL340, not FL240 as initially selected. When the autopilot failed to automatically level off, he disconnected it and made a manual pitch input. He believed an incorrect cleared level had been set and that an adequate cross-check was not performed. The seatbelt sign was off, and no conflicting traffic was present.
First Officer (Pilot Monitoring)
The first officer stated that the clearance was received to descend to FL340, with an expectation to be at or below FL200 at waypoint LIPGO. He initially wrote "\240" on the flight log but later amended it to "\340" after ATC clarification. While monitoring, he noticed FL240 set on the FCU and contacted ATC, who confirmed FL340. The aircraft descended through approximately FL345 before the commander took manual control.
Senior Cabin Crew Member
The SCCM described a sudden onset of g-forces, feeling pinned down, ringing ears, numb limbs, and seeing black spots. She found other cabin crew on the floor. The injured CCM No. 3 had a broken ankle. A medical doctor passenger assisted. All cabin crew were examined by paramedics upon arrival; CCM No. 3 was detained in hospital.
Injured Cabin Crew Member
CCM No. 3 reported being lifted off her feet and pushed to the floor, injuring her ankle. She was standing between two toilets in the aft galley. A doctor passenger applied splints.
Damage
The aircraft sustained no damage.
Conclusion
This occurrence resulted from a confusion over the cleared descent altitude, leading to an abrupt manual pitch correction that caused a serious injury to a cabin crew member.