Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has released its final report into an Air Canada flight where 37 people were injured due to severe turbulence.
The incident occurred on July 11 2019 on Air Canada flight AC 33 enroute from Vancouver to Sydney with 15 crew and 269 passengers on board.
The Boeing 777-200LR C-FNNH experienced severe clear air turbulence some 640nm southwest of Honolulu. The TSB report said 31 passengers and six cabin crew suffered minor injuries. The flight diverted to Honolulu and landed about two hours and 15 minutes later.
As <em>The Aviation Herald</em> reported:
“Passengers reported fellow passengers literally went flying within the aircraft and hit the ceiling of the cabin.
“On Sep 26th 2019 the Canadian TSB reported the aircraft encountered turbulence for about 10-15 seconds while enroute at FL340 about two hours from Honolulu Airport.
“Several passengers and cabin crew were thrown against the ceiling of the cabin.
“In total 37 people, 31 passengers and six cabin crew, received minor injuries like sprains, strains, cuts and bruises.
“First aid was provided to the injured by cabin crew and medical professionals travelling as passengers.
“Fuel was dumped prior to landing. Maintenance performed a severe turbulence inspection with no faults found.
“There was damage to interior components and cabin furnishings where passengers and cabin crew had come into contact.”
<em>VIDEO: A 2017 video highlighting the potential for injury during a severe turbulence event from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s YouTube channel.</em>
