S. Korea: 40 Hurt as Plane Runs into Turbulence (pilot got it almost right, but...)

Chosun Ilbo ^ | 07/14/05

[TigerLikesRooster]

40 Hurt as Plane Runs into Turbulence

Some 40 passengers and crewmembers were hurt when a Korean airliner flying from Bali, Indonesia to Incheon International Airport suddenly lost altitude in turbulence. 

Korean Air and the Seoul Regional Aviation Administration said Thursday that Korean Air Flight 630, which took off from Bali's Denpasar Airport at 4:15 a.m., ran into "clear air turbulence" while cruising at 38,000 feet just before entering Malaysian airspace. The aircraft suddenly dropped about 100 meters.



Four of the 257 passengers sustained injuries like cuts to their foreheads when they hit their heads on the overhead baggage compartment. Some 25 received emergency treatment for neck pain, while 11 crewmembers preparing for in-flight service at the time were also injured.

 

Passengers injured when a Korean Air flight from Indonesia ran into turbulence are taken to nearby hospitals immediately after arrival at Incheon International Airport.

"Immediately prior to the incident, pilots asked passengers to stay in their seats and put on their seat belts because they felt there was something strange with the air stream,” Korean Air said. “But the plane dropped before the broadcast was finished, so the damage was greater."

When the aircraft arrived at Incheon Airport it was met by an ambulance provided by the carrier to take the injured to a nearby hospital; seven crewmembers were also hospitalized with abrasions and fractures.

A Korean Air spokesman said, "Because clear air turbulence occurs without warning in cloudless skies and is not detected easily on radar, the aircraft was helpless to prepare for it."

[TigerLikesRooster]

Fortunately, I have not had any vertical jump to the ceiling in an airplane yet. Even if it happens in the future, I hope I am not near a push cart carrying food or beverages. I don't want it to be on top of me, when it comes down.:-)

[plain talk]

Unless I'm going to the restroom my seatbelt is always fastened while in an airplane.

[anonymous_user]

"Clear Air Turbulence. 'CAT.' It's just a harmless, little kitty cat. Now go to your happy place."

obscure "Cheers" reference

[Enchante]

same here, I always keep my seat belt on throughout a flight - this sort of thing can happen at any time, without warning..... people need to grasp that they are hurtling along at 500 mph in potentially turbulent atmosphere, not sitting at home in their living rooms....

[gogogodzilla]

I was on a flight once that hit some extreme turbulence... WHILE I was in the plane's restroom.

Needless to say, the restroom much much messier after I left.

:-)