A flight encountered severe clear air turbulence (CAT), causing injuries to a passenger and a crew member.
On Monday, July 10, a flight from Shanghai to Beijing encountered an unexpected incident of CAT. The severe turbulence hit the Air China Airbus A330-300 at an altitude of 35,000 feet and the plane fell several hundred feet.
China University of Geosciences associate professor, Xing Lida, documented his experience on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo. According to Xing, the turbulence struck in the last half hour of an otherwise smooth flight, creating a scene of chaos inside the cabin. One woman and a flight attendant were hurled against the cabin ceiling, causing it to crack and dislodge an overhead exit sign.
Images posted on social media after the event revealed strewn pillows, reading materials, and other items, suggesting the severity of the turbulence experienced. Despite their fear, the flight attendants displayed commendable bravery, prioritizing passenger safety and offering calm and professional assistance to those who were injured.
Following the aircraft’s safe touchdown in Beijing at 5:18 pm local time, a passenger and a flight attendant were transported to a local hospital. While the exact nature of their injuries remains undisclosed, Xing noted that some passengers had sustained sprains and superficial injuries. The current health status of those admitted to the hospital is yet to be shared by Air China.
