On 19 August 2024, a severe turbulence incident occurred on board an Easyjet flight from Corfu to London Gatwick, resulting in significant injuries to two cabin crew. This incident has not only attracted the attention of passengers and the media, but has also triggered an official investigation by the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ANSV). The investigation will focus on the causes and extent of the turbulence, as well as whether it could have been avoided.
The flight in question, U2-8210, was an Airbus A320-214 and had 181 passengers and six crew members on board. Shortly after entering Italian airspace, at an altitude of about 8,588 meters (28,000 feet), the aircraft encountered severe turbulence at 13:01 local time. This turbulence hit the cabin by surprise and caused two flight attendants, who were preparing in-flight service, to be thrown against the cabin walls. One of them suffered a broken leg, while the others suffered severe ankle sprains.
Fortunately, no passengers were injured and the captain immediately decided to divert the plane to Rome’s Fiumicino airport, where the injured received medical treatment. The flight landed safely in Rome at 1:48 p.m. local time. The passengers were eventually flown to London on another plane, while the affected plane remained on the ground for further investigation.
Safety standards and preparation for turbulence
Turbulence is a common phenomenon in aviation and often does not pose a threat to the structural integrity of an aircraft. Nevertheless, serious injuries can be caused, especially if crew members or passengers are not wearing seat belts. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew are Easyjet’s highest priority, a company spokesperson stressed. Pilots are fully trained to be able to react appropriately in such situations. However, despite all safety precautions and the use of modern weather radar systems, unexpected turbulence can occasionally occur.
The ANSV is now investigating whether the turbulence was actually unpredictable or whether it was visible on the weather radar but underestimated. This question is crucial because modern weather radars are able to detect turbulence and give pilots unexpected warnings. A failure in this system or a misjudgment by the pilots could have serious implications for aviation safety standards.
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority has taken the incident very seriously and has immediately launched an investigation. This will also examine whether all required safety protocols were followed and whether the injuries to the flight attendants could have been avoided. The results of this investigation could lead to new recommendations or changes in safety protocols.
Turbulence: An ever-present risk in aviation
Turbulence is not uncommon in aviation and can occur at any time. It is usually caused by atmospheric phenomena such as jet streams, thunderstorms or air currents and mountain ranges. Even clear air turbulence, which is often unpredictable, can have a significant impact on the course of a flight. Airlines around the world are aware of the risks and train their pilots accordingly, but the risk of injury, especially to unbelted passengers or crew members, remains.
The incident on flight U2-8210 underlines the importance of following safety instructions, especially wearing seat belts during flight. Although most turbulence is harmless, this case shows that there are exceptions that can have serious consequences.
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