MUMBAI: In the past week, there have been three instances of mid-air turbulence, causing injuries to passengers and crew.
- On Sunday 26th May, a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin hit turbulence while flying over Turkey. Before landing, the pilots informed air traffic control about the injured passengers. Once the flight landed, emergency services assisted, and out of the 12 injured, 8 were taken to the hospital.
- On Saturday 25th May, a Turkish Airlines A321 flying from Istanbul to Izmir hit severe turbulence, injuring a flight attendant. The plane suddenly dropped, throwing the flight attendant into the cabin ceiling and causing a spinal injury when he fell to the floor.
The most serious incident happened on May 21, when a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. Passengers were thrown against the cabin ceiling. A 73-year-old British passenger died from a suspected heart attack, and many others were injured, some with serious spine injuries. Since then, Singapore Airlines has changed the flight route, now flying over the Indian subcontinent, Bay of Bengal, and Andaman Sea to reach Singapore.
Turbulence and Seatbelt Safety: What You Need to Know?
Turbulence caused by Cb clouds and thunderstorms can be spotted by the plane's radar. When pilots see these clouds, they often take a detour and turn on the seatbelt sign to keep passengers safe. But turbulence from Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) can come out of nowhere. That's why it's a good idea to keep your seatbelt fastened snugly throughout the flight, just like you do during takeoff and landing. Some airlines suggest keeping it loosely fastened the whole time. Even a loosely fastened seatbelt is better than none, but pilots warn that it might not offer enough protection during sudden extreme turbulence.
What Happens During Turbulence?
CAT-related turbulence can cause structural damage to the aircraft. Passengers without fastened seatbelts can be thrown against the ceiling, risking serious injuries. It can be alarming to see the wings flapping up and down, but don’t worry—aircraft are built to handle turbulence. For example, the wingtips of large jets like the Boeings 777 or 747 can bend up to 20 feet and are certified to handle even more, so there are plenty of safety buffers in place.
Keeping your seatbelt fastened snugly can make your flight safer and more comfortable. Stay buckled up and enjoy your journey with peace of mind!
What measures can passengers take, and what should flyers be aware of?
Over the Indian subcontinent, planes experience the most turbulence during the pre-monsoon season (April, May, and early June). This is when aircraft encounter the worst turbulence, especially in northern India. The pre-monsoon weather causes atmospheric disturbances, particularly over north India, where Kalbaisakhi or Nor’westers bring localized heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, dark clouds, and gale-speed winds in the afternoon or before sunset.
In May 2022, a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Durgapur encountered severe turbulence, injuring 17 passengers. Tragically, one passenger later died from spine injuries. In previous years, pre-monsoon turbulence associated with Kalbaisakhi had caused serious injuries on three flights in India.
Turbulence costs airlines millions of dollars each year in damages, delays, and injuries.
Tips for Passengers:
- Keep Seatbelts Fastened: Always keep your seatbelt fastened, even when the seatbelt sign is off.
- Follow Crew Instructions: Pay close attention to safety briefings and follow the crew's instructions.
- Secure Your Belongings: Make sure all carry-on baggage is securely stored in overhead bins or under seats.
- Stay Seated During Turbulence: Try to remain seated during turbulence. If you need to move, use the seatbacks for support.
- Choose Your Seat Wisely: Seats over the wings tend to experience less motion compared to those at the front or back of the plane.
By taking these precautions, passengers can significantly reduce their risk of injury during turbulent flights.
Related Videos:
Singapore Airlines Plane Hits Deadly Turbulence: What Happened? | Vantage with Palki Sharma
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