Originally Posted by
tide
Being banged around during turbulence can be no fun. I remember a UA flt departing NRT several years ago being in the news for a fatality resulting from turbulence. I'm sure others have more details on this.
There was a case not more than 8 months ago I think, on UA in which a pax suffered a spinal injury and died later.
Of course, after investigation and witness statements UA was cleared of responsibility because the flight was bumpy and the pilot turned on the Fasten Seat Belts sign and made an annoucement for the FA's to take their seats also, more than 25 minutes before the injury.
The woman (victim) was one of those "Signs don't apply to me" types and got out of her seat anyhow and went to the lav. The aircraft experienced a few seconds of moderate to extreme turb while she was in there and she was thrown against the ceiling of the lav where she got the spinal injury.
The UA crew complied with all regulations and issued all warnings, and she still got out of her seat.