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 19, 2014, 8:59 am
#76
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Wow, glad to hear that calexandre and everyone else aboard is ok. I read about AA280 the day it happened, just crappy Internet kept me from posting earlier. I was on the LAX-PVG flight a few days ago, and the pilot made it a point on the PA to tell us that we were delayed 15 min from departing and would arrive 45-60 min later because a) we were taking on extra fuel because b) we would fly at 28K feet (and thus slower than normal with more fuel burn) to avoid turbulent air from a winter storm. We just got some light bumps, and after seeing this story, I'm definitely not complaining about missing the Shanghai Circus!
Normally I view turbulence (light to moderate) as a nice way to sleep--the rocking is very soothing--but this is something entirely different and thankfully quite rare. Still, though, probably hits about one winter transPac flight a month badly, if I scan my memory banks and think about it. Less common in the summer when the winds are lighter.
Dec 19, 2014, 1:29 pm
#77
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Cheers,
AA777
Dec 19, 2014, 2:10 pm
#78
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There was no "buckling" or damage to the plane. It was back in service after 36 hours. Overweight landing inspection (required) and cleanup from all the food and mess. No structural damage.
Dec 20, 2014, 12:33 am
#79
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
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Looks like its back in the air as reported to GRU.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...340Z/KLAX/SBGR
I didn't realize with flightaware one can track a/c by tail # for AA
doesn't work that with AS.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...340Z/KLAX/SBGR
I didn't realize with flightaware one can track a/c by tail # for AA
doesn't work that with AS.
Dec 20, 2014, 12:45 am
#80
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Looks like its back in the air as reported to GRU.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...340Z/KLAX/SBGR
I didn't realize with flightaware one can track a/c by tail # for AA doesn't work that with AS.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...340Z/KLAX/SBGR
I didn't realize with flightaware one can track a/c by tail # for AA
doesn't work that with AS.
☨DTE CHNG FLT☨ ORIG 19DEC
LAX 740P T4 48B
GRU ☨ 145P
7LAX/AUTO REACCOM DLY FLT COMPLETED *STAR REPORT FAILED* *2159*CRCYMG
3LAX/DCSN2245 MX *0025
4LAX/OUT2243 OFF2323 *0123
2GRU/ETA1656 *0123
Dec 22, 2014, 11:00 am
#81
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ORD
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Posts: 159
Had family on AA2309 yesterday from DFW to ORD. It was supposed to be a MD-80 departing at 1:20pm. It then got delayed to 5pm and was switched out to a wide-body.
All the logs I found still show that the MD-80 flew it, but it was definitely a wide-body. A FA mentioned to my family that this was the plane coming from NRT that went through turbulence and was being re-positioned to ORD (which is why they switched out the MD-80).
Given the flight log posted above, these are not the same planes. Anyone know the back-story of this plane used yesterday?
All the logs I found still show that the MD-80 flew it, but it was definitely a wide-body. A FA mentioned to my family that this was the plane coming from NRT that went through turbulence and was being re-positioned to ORD (which is why they switched out the MD-80).
Given the flight log posted above, these are not the same planes. Anyone know the back-story of this plane used yesterday?
Dec 31, 2014, 7:22 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Just saw this story now. I'd like to chime in here that flight 169 (NRT > LAX) experienced a similar condition on 22 Dec over the Bering Sea, which caused our plane to partially roll a couple of times before we were eventually pushed up to 39000 ft. The condition lasted for over 40 minutes, but we arrived an hour ahead of schedule. Not sure if it was the same storm, but it was easily the scariest flight of my life.
Jan 24, 2016, 7:10 pm
#83
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 464
AA206 MIA-MXP severe turbulence, diverts to YYT / St. John's N.L. 24 Jan 2016
AA206
Scheduled MIA-MXP, now landed in YYT
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL206
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/america...d91d1bf122a8e5
Scheduled MIA-MXP, now landed in YYT
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL206
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/america...d91d1bf122a8e5
Jan 24, 2016, 8:13 pm
#85
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Local media here reporting on twitter that 3 people removed from the aircraft on stretchers/backboards. Two are supposed to be crew (FA's). Looks like plane will be overnighting here before continuing on tomorrow PM.
Jan 24, 2016, 9:56 pm
#86
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AA206 MIA-MXP diverted to YYT due to severe turbulence encounter 24 Jan 2016
Just seeing a news clip that AA206 scheduled MIA-MXP was diverted to YYT. Apparently they experienced severe turbulence and several pax + FAs have been taken to hospital.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...ohns-1.3418056
I hope the folks injured will heal rapidly!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...ohns-1.3418056
I hope the folks injured will heal rapidly!
Jan 25, 2016, 12:29 am
#87
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,348
Good to know that they are all safe!
They are all being put in the Delta hotel in St John now, and I guess AA has to fly in a possibly a replacement plane with crews.
"Always fasten your seat belt whenever you are seated."
Carfield
They are all being put in the Delta hotel in St John now, and I guess AA has to fly in a possibly a replacement plane with crews.
"Always fasten your seat belt whenever you are seated."
Carfield
Jan 25, 2016, 2:36 pm
#89
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As I understand it, they ferried a plane and crew to YYT from DFW, so the plane will probably change tails before continuing to MXP.
Edit: Flight Stats and Flight Aware seem to support my previous statement. The tail of the plane which had to divert to YYT was N342AN. Tail number N388AA flew DFW to YYT early this morning, and appears to now be assigned to AA 206.
Last edited by makfan; Jan 25, 2016 at 2:44 pm Reason: Add details.
Jan 25, 2016, 3:41 pm
#90
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 206
makfan,
You are correct. Since I posted they have updated. This has really proved costly to AA. Two planes in YYT, one to return empty to Miami plus the cost of getting relief crew up there. Not to mention the overnight stays.
You are correct. Since I posted they have updated. This has really proved costly to AA. Two planes in YYT, one to return empty to Miami plus the cost of getting relief crew up there. Not to mention the overnight stays.