Turbulence events may result in injuries being sustained by crew and passengers in the cabin, particularly for persons not seated with the seat belt fastened during the encounter. Cabin trolleys present a hazard to crew and passengers in severe turbulence and burns may be sustained if a hot drinks service is underway.
In addition to injuries sustained in the cabin, there may be damage to the aircraft from excessive loads placed upon the airframe, resulting in the aircraft being grounded to undergo structural inspections and repairs.
The impact of climate change was flagged as a potential cause for an increase in the number of turbulence events to which operators are exposed. The SIRM viewpoint was that in recent years we have seen an increase in clear air turbulence and that may correlate with the worsening effects of climate change.
An occurrence was shared where an aircraft in the cruise experienced unexpected clear air turbulence, estimated as being moderate/severe. A drinks service was taking place in the cabin at the time.
In response to the encounter the flight crew disconnected the autopilot instinctively due to a perception that the aircraft automation was struggling to maintain control of the aircraft. The importance of following the aircraft quick reference handbook (QRH) during high altitude turbulence encounters was emphasised.
Due to the encounter being unexpected the cabin crew had no time to respond to the PA instruction before they were impacted by the turbulence, with some making contact with the cabin ceiling, sustaining injuries.
Experiencing a turbulence encounter can be a distressing experience, even for cabin and flight crew who have significant operating experience. Peer support programs can be invaluable in providing psychological support to crew who have experienced a severe turbulence event, particularly if they sustained injuries.
The availability of products that can improve awareness of turbulence encounters, through the live sharing of aircraft flight data, were highlighted – one example being IATA’s Turbulence Aware product.
