Dec 17, 2014, 6:00 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Turbulence incidents, reports, discussion master thread
DEFINITION: Aircraft turbulence (American Meteorological Society)
Irregular motion of an aircraft in flight, especially when characterized by rapid up-and-down motion, caused by a rapid variation of atmospheric wind velocities.
This can occur in cloudy areas (particularly towering cumulus and lenticular clouds) and in clear air. Turbulence is the leading cause of nonfatal passenger and flight attendant injuries. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies aircraft turbulence as follows:
Light: Causes slight, erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude, and rhythmic bumpiness as occupants feel a slight strain against seat belts.
Moderate: Similar to light, but of greater intensity, with rapid bumps or jolts, and occupants feel a slight strain against seat belts.
Severe: Turbulence that causes large, abrupt changes in altitude and attitude, and large variations in airspeed, with the aircraft temporarily out of control. Occupants are forced violently against their seat belts and objects are tossed about, with food service and walking impossible.
Extreme: The aircraft is tossed about so violently that it is practically impossible to control, and structural damage may occur.
Incident:.AA 280 ICN - DFW on December 16 2014 local time, operated by a Boeing 777-223ER and carrying 240 passengers and 15 crew, was subjected to a prolonged period of moderate turbulence and two minute-long sessions of severe turbulence near Japan. The aircraft diverted to NRT, where four passengers and one crew member were taken to hospital for evaluation and treatment; no serious injuries were reported.
The other passengers were bussed to a local hotel, and another aircraft took them to their DFW destination today. The aircraft was taken out of service for inspection for possible damage.
(Summary by JDiver from news sources and member calexandre, who was on board.)
Originally Posted by AA spokesperson Andrea Huguely
“American Airlines Flight 280, a Boeing 777-200 from Seoul (ICN) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) has diverted to Tokyo (NRT) because of turbulence during the flight. There are 240 passengers and a crew of 15.
Link to in-cabin raw video footage on YouTube
Link to Dallas Morning News article
Link to CNBC article
Link to (UK Daily) Mail Online (gets it all wrong -"Boeing 747-200") but decent graphics, including map
Link to Tokyo TV 50 video and interviews with two passengers (Japanese language)
Link to weather.com video taken on flight and explanation of probable turbulence source
Link to to video off Boeing destructive 777 wing test (exceeded 153% of expected highest stresses expected)
Turbulence incidents, reports, discussion master thread
Dec 16, 2014, 9:12 am
#1
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AA280, ICN-DFW, Diverts to NRT - Severe Turbulence Injures Pax
Variety of reports on Twitter, etc., that AA280 hit severe turbulence en-route to DFW, injuring at least 14 pax.. They're diverting to NRT.
Some reports from various news sources can be found on Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AA280
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102273072
Some reports from various news sources can be found on Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AA280
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102273072
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 27, 2016 at 5:13 pm Reason: Restore original thread title
Dec 16, 2014, 11:55 am
#2
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Sounds scary, both the incident and the terrible reporting by the Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...fic-Ocean.html
"The Boeing 747 – the world’s largest twin-engine passenger jet – was met by firefighters and paramedics when it touched down."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...fic-Ocean.html
"The Boeing 747 – the world’s largest twin-engine passenger jet – was met by firefighters and paramedics when it touched down."
Dec 16, 2014, 12:00 pm
#3
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Sounds scary, both the incident and the terrible reporting by the Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...fic-Ocean.html
"The Boeing 747 – the world’s largest twin-engine passenger jet – was met by firefighters and paramedics when it touched down."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...fic-Ocean.html
"The Boeing 747 – the world’s largest twin-engine passenger jet – was met by firefighters and paramedics when it touched down."
Dec 16, 2014, 12:45 pm
#5
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Broken glass sure does sound scary, Lucky they were so close to land when they hit the turbulence. I had the worst turbulence of my life between Iceland and Boston and they glass didn't move. Can't imagine how bad it must have been to make the glass break.
My guess is Ground Control mad a bad call to try to proceed through the storm.
My guess is Ground Control mad a bad call to try to proceed through the storm.
Dec 16, 2014, 1:06 pm
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Dec 16, 2014, 1:38 pm
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Four passengers, one crew member go to hospital after turbulence hits AA 280 ICN-DFW
Oh no. Prayers and quick recovery for those injured. THat turbulence must have been real bad.
http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2...-airport.html/
http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2...-airport.html/
Dec 16, 2014, 2:26 pm
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Reports out of Japan say that a number of people were injured when turbulence struck American Airlines’ daily flight from Seoul, South Korea, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
AA spokeswoman Andrea Huguely confirmed the diversion, but did not comment on injuries. She sent us this statement:
“American Airlines Flight 280, a Boeing 777-200 from Seoul (ICN) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) has diverted to Tokyo (NRT) because of turbulence during the flight. There are 240 passengers and a crew of 15.
“American’s primary concern at this time is for our passengers and crew on board the airplane and our team in Narita is providing assistance. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
Various U.S. news organizations cited NHK in Japan as saying 10 passengers and four crew members were injured. The Weather Channel said that the area was being rocked by a severe storm.
American Airlines has issued this update on the carrier’s flight from Seoul, South Korea, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, hit by turbulence as it was flying east of Japan:
“Medical personnel have been able to evaluate all passengers and crew members asking for medical attention. Four passengers and one crew member have been transported to local hospitals for further observation and treatment. None of the injuries are life-threatening.
“American Airlines Flight 280 will not continue on to DFW today. Passengers have been transported to hotels and will continue their travel to DFW tomorrow. Our team in Tokyo will continue to provide all necessary support to take care of our passengers and crew.”
The photos come from Dallas attorney Marc Stanley, who was on the flight.
“We were diverted to NRT [Tokyo's Narita International Airport] after 45+ minutes of insane turbulence.,” he messaged Todd Gillman in our Washington, D.C., office.
AA spokeswoman Andrea Huguely confirmed the diversion, but did not comment on injuries. She sent us this statement:
“American Airlines Flight 280, a Boeing 777-200 from Seoul (ICN) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) has diverted to Tokyo (NRT) because of turbulence during the flight. There are 240 passengers and a crew of 15.
“American’s primary concern at this time is for our passengers and crew on board the airplane and our team in Narita is providing assistance. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
Various U.S. news organizations cited NHK in Japan as saying 10 passengers and four crew members were injured. The Weather Channel said that the area was being rocked by a severe storm.
American Airlines has issued this update on the carrier’s flight from Seoul, South Korea, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, hit by turbulence as it was flying east of Japan:
“Medical personnel have been able to evaluate all passengers and crew members asking for medical attention. Four passengers and one crew member have been transported to local hospitals for further observation and treatment. None of the injuries are life-threatening.
“American Airlines Flight 280 will not continue on to DFW today. Passengers have been transported to hotels and will continue their travel to DFW tomorrow. Our team in Tokyo will continue to provide all necessary support to take care of our passengers and crew.”
The photos come from Dallas attorney Marc Stanley, who was on the flight.
“We were diverted to NRT [Tokyo's Narita International Airport] after 45+ minutes of insane turbulence.,” he messaged Todd Gillman in our Washington, D.C., office.
Dec 16, 2014, 3:05 pm
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Dec 16, 2014, 3:47 pm
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Broken glass sure does sound scary, Lucky they were so close to land when they hit the turbulence. I had the worst turbulence of my life between Iceland and Boston and they glass didn't move. Can't imagine how bad it must have been to make the glass break.
My guess is Ground Control mad a bad call to try to proceed through the storm.
My guess is Ground Control mad a bad call to try to proceed through the storm.
Ground Control has no input into dealing with routing or dealing with storm rerouting. At some distance from ground radar, pilots rely on aircraft radar , SIGMETS and PIREPS (pilot reports) when flying far from ground weather radar coverage. ATC is advisory; the Captain is the final authority, and turbulence (especially the clear air variety) isn't always predictable.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 16, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Dec 16, 2014, 3:52 pm
#12
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Our QF A380 earlier this month hit some moderate turbulence (some significant altitude excursions, plane shaking like a dog with fleas, etc.) The Pacific often isn't.
Dec 16, 2014, 3:52 pm
#13
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There were SIGMENTS out for sever turbulence just east of Japan and north.
Typical for the Jet stream coming off of Japan this time of year 200+ mph.
I was on AA 176 NRT DFW few years back. We hit sever 45 minutes from Tokyo for 10-15 seconds but the damage was done. Food everywhere, drinks, dishes, people's laptops hit the overhead bins. It was a mess but nobody was hurt. Captain came on and said they could see Standing Lenticular Clouds and that's what we hit!
Typical for the Jet stream coming off of Japan this time of year 200+ mph.
I was on AA 176 NRT DFW few years back. We hit sever 45 minutes from Tokyo for 10-15 seconds but the damage was done. Food everywhere, drinks, dishes, people's laptops hit the overhead bins. It was a mess but nobody was hurt. Captain came on and said they could see Standing Lenticular Clouds and that's what we hit!
Dec 16, 2014, 5:32 pm
#15
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I was on this one. Never experienced anything like that and hope not to again. Everything was completely smooth and then with no warning all the plates and glasses just went flying.
They've rescheduled us for 5pm departure. They better have a better flight path worked out this time.
They've rescheduled us for 5pm departure. They better have a better flight path worked out this time.