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
Jan 25, 2016, 7:45 pm
#91
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
AA 9643 St John-MIA
January 25, 2015 - Flgihtradar24 shows an AA 767 departing St John at 21:11 due in MIA at 0:29. Is this the plane from MIA-MXP which encountered severe turbulance and forced to land at St John? Was the plane damaged that it had to return to MIA empty? I presume another plane was sent to take the pax to MXP ?
https://www.flightradar24.com/AAL9643/8a28ee6
https://www.flightradar24.com/AAL9643/8a28ee6
Jan 25, 2016, 8:40 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: D/FW, TX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 428
Yes that's the aircraft that diverted. I was reading on another airline forum (admittedly I am not sure of the rules about linking to other forums) about the event. Sounds like the cabin was a wreck... Wine and drinks spilled everywhere. The person in the post also stated there was blood throughout the cabin. Seems like it was a really serious encounter with turbulence. I'm glad that no one was more seriously injured than they were.
Jan 26, 2016, 1:37 am
#93
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA (PPro/3MM/Admirals Club), AS, UA, Marriott (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Accor (Plat)
Posts: 2,602
Jan 26, 2016, 7:51 pm
#94
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 206
Now I'm really curious. Why swap out aircraft? Why fly back to Miami empty? Cargo?
I see the plane returned to service the next day to Dallas and is now on it's way to Honolulu so there was no apparent damage from turbulence. Wouldn't it have made more sense to return the empty aircraft to Dallas? I'm sure they know or have valid reasons but Cargo is the only thing I can think of. Maybe it couldn't be offloaded on to N-388AA in St John's.
I see the plane returned to service the next day to Dallas and is now on it's way to Honolulu so there was no apparent damage from turbulence. Wouldn't it have made more sense to return the empty aircraft to Dallas? I'm sure they know or have valid reasons but Cargo is the only thing I can think of. Maybe it couldn't be offloaded on to N-388AA in St John's.
Jan 27, 2016, 9:09 pm
#96
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
Now I'm really curious. Why swap out aircraft? Why fly back to Miami empty? Cargo?
I see the plane returned to service the next day to Dallas and is now on it's way to Honolulu so there was no apparent damage from turbulence. Wouldn't it have made more sense to return the empty aircraft to Dallas? I'm sure they know or have valid reasons but Cargo is the only thing I can think of. Maybe it couldn't be offloaded on to N-388AA in St John's.
I see the plane returned to service the next day to Dallas and is now on it's way to Honolulu so there was no apparent damage from turbulence. Wouldn't it have made more sense to return the empty aircraft to Dallas? I'm sure they know or have valid reasons but Cargo is the only thing I can think of. Maybe it couldn't be offloaded on to N-388AA in St John's.
Jan 27, 2016, 9:25 pm
#97
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617