Turbulence
Many passengers do not understand the effects of turbulence, or
that an encounter with turbulence may occur without warning.
What is turbulence?
Turbulence is air movement that normally cannot be seen. It may
occur when the sky appears to be clear and can happen unexpectedly. It
can be created by any number of different conditions, including
atmospheric pressures, jet streams, mountain waves, cold or warm
fronts, or thunderstorms.
Different intensities of turbulence
Light turbulence - briefly causes slight, erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude.
Light chop - slight, rapid and somewhat rhythmic bumpiness without noticeable changes in altitude or attitude.
Moderate turbulence - similar to light turbulence,
but greater intensity. Changes in altitude/attitude occur. Aircraft
remains in control at all times. Variations in indicated air speed.
Moderate chop - similar to light chop, but greater intensity. Rapid bumps or jolts without obvious changes in altitude or attitude.
Severe turbulence - large, abrupt changes in
altitude/attitude. Large variation in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may
be temporarily out of control.
Extreme turbulence - aircraft is violently tossed about and is impossible to control. May cause structural damage.
The reactions inside aircraft vary from occupants feeling slight
strain against their seat belts and unsecured items being slightly
displaced, through to occupants being forced violently against
seat-belts, and unsecured items being being tossed about. (Imagine what
it would be like if you were not wearing a seat belt!)
Clear air turbulence There are several notable problems with clear air turbulence:
- It cannot always be foreseen so there is no warning.
- It is usually felt at its mildest in the flight deck and is generally more severe in the aft section.
- It can occur when no clouds are visible.
- Aircraft radars can't detect it.
- It is common at high altitudes, where cruising airline suddenly enter turbulent areas.
Turbulence is the leading cause of in-flight injuries. There are
countless reports of occupants who were seriously injured while moving
about the passenger cabin when clear air turbulence is encountered.
The causes
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- Thermals - Heat from the sun makes warm air masses rise and cold ones sink.
- Jet streams - Fast, high-altitude air currents shift, disturbing the air nearby.
- Mountains - Air passes over mountains and causes turbulence as it flows above the air on the other side.
- Wake turbulence - Near the ground a passing plane or helicopter sets up small, chaotic air currents, or
Microbursts - A storm or a passing aircraft stirs up a strong downdraft close to the ground.
Injury prevention In-flight turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to passengers
and crew. Occupants injured during turbulence are usually not wearing
seatbelts, ignoring recommendations to keep seatbelts fastened even
when the signs are not illuminated. It is recognised that passengers
need to move around the cabin to use restroom facilities or to exercise
on long flights. However you should keep your seatbelt fastened at all
times when seated.
From 1981 through 1997 there were 342 reports of turbulence
affecting major air carriers. Three passengers died, two of these
fatalities were not wearing their seat belt while the sign was on. 80
suffered serious injuries, 73 of these passengers were also not wearing
their seat belts.
Turbulence related incidents The following are recent jet airliner mishaps from around the
world. In each event, at least one passenger/flight attendant was
injured during an unexpected turbulence encounter.
- During a flight from Singapore to Sydney with 236
passengers and 16 crew, the airplane encountered turbulence over
central Australia. The plane hit an "air pocket" which caused it to
drop 300 feet. Nine passengers including one pregnant woman and three
crew members suffered various neck, back and hip injuries, with one of
the passengers requiring surgery. Those who were injured were not
wearing seat belts.
- During a flight from Japan to Brisbane 16 passengers were injured when a large
aircraft encountered turbulence. Passengers had been advised to keep
their seatbelts fastened while seated. The pilot in command reported
that flight conditions were smooth prior to encountering the
turbulence. The weather radar did not indicate adverse weather, so the
crew did not turn on the seatbelt signs. A number of the passengers who
were not wearing their seatbelts were injured when they were thrown
from their seats.
- A jet hit air turbulence shortly before it landed at a Hong Kong airport,
injuring 47 people, seven of them seriously. "It happened very suddenly
and everything was very chaotic," one of the 160 passengers aboard the
flight said. "The plane just dropped and I saw things flying all over."
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