Airbus Industrie A320-212 N373NW accident near Chase City, Virginia

Probable cause

The abrupt maneuver required to comply with a traffic alert and collision avoidance system resolution advisory during descent.

NTSB analysis

On August 28, 2025, Delta Air Lines flight 737, an Airbus A320-212, experienced a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) resolution advisory (RA) while enroute from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington, DC.

According to the flight crew, the airplane was level at flight level (FL) 290 when the crew requested a lower altitude from air traffic control (ATC) in preparation for arrival into DCA. ATC indicated there was traffic below them, cleared the flight to descend to FL280 and stated that further descent would be available after traffic below them was cleared. The captain selected FL280 and initiated the descent with the autopilot engaged. The first officer stated that airplane was descending at about 1,000 feet/min.

While descending through about FL284, the flight crew received a TCAS RA instructing the crew to level off. The captain disengaged the autopilot and leveled off at about FL285. The flight crew reported the TCAS RA to ATC and resumed the descent to FL280 after the RA cleared.

At the time of the TCAS RA, the flight attendants (FA) were beginning to prepare the cabin and galleys for landing. The FA in the aft galley was thrown to the floor, injuring both knees. She was assisted to her seat by the other FAs and several doctors and nurse passengers provided care for the remainder of the flight. The lead FA notified the flight crew of the injured FA. The flight crew contacted Delta to have medical personnel meet the airplane at the gate.

After landing, the injured FA was transported to a local hospital, where she was diagnosed with fractures to both kneecaps. Two other FAs reported minor injuries but were not transported to the hospital.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA25LA306 for the full record.