Gulf Air Stewardess breaks leg in turbulence incident

[newswatcher]

From the "Gulf News"(4/11):

"A Gulf Air flight made an emergency landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport early yesterday after six passengers and a crew member were injured when the aircraft was buffeted by severe turbulence over India.

The Airbus A340 with 285 passengers on board, was on its way to Bahrain from Hong Kong via Bangkok.

Abu Dhabi airport authorities were on full alert when Flight GF 151 landed safely. An airline spokesman said an Arab stewardess had broken her leg while helping passengers during the turbulence. She was taken to Mafraq Hospital. Her condition is stable. She is likely to be released from hospital soon.

(Named as Nadia Al Khair in the Khaleej Times)

He said: "A doctor among the passengers gave her basic medical care. The passengers sustained minor bruises and scratches and were provided with first aid in the plane upon landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport."

He assured that no national from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states is on the list of injured, which includes two Chinese, two Iraqis, one Congolese and one Tanzanian.

The plane resumed its journey to Bahrain and was received there by Gulf Air officials and medical crew.

A spokesman said Gulf Air expressed regret over the incident which, he added, was beyond its control. The plane did not develop any technical fault during or after the turbulence.

Another source said airline Chief Executive James Hogan, who happened to be in the capital, visited the stewardess in hospital. He was accompanied by senior Gulf Air officials who carried bouquets for her.

Hogan also held a meeting with officials in the capital and contacted flight crew about the incident before heading for Bahrain yesterday afternoon."

[CaptSnails]

Best wishes for recovery to the girl in question. I thing Mr Hogan's move was very compassionate and I'm sure highly appreciated. Good to see that our Chief exec cares about his troops.

[Rufrix Heavywash]

SEVERE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER

SERIOUS INCIDENT 02 NOVEMBER 2002



On the 02 November 2002 a Company Airbus A340 flying between BKK and BAH experienced a sudden and unexpected severe turbulence encounter over the Bay of Bengal approximately 300 nautical miles SE of VVZ (east coast of India). Prior to the event the flight was smooth and uneventful and the seat belt was off. The flight crew were having their meal and a full meal service was in progress in the cabin. Both the Captain and FS were aware of the possibility of weather enroute and PA’s were made informing passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened as a precaution at all times, even when the seat belt sign was off. The aircraft was flying at FL 310 when a small CB blip was spotted on the weather radar along the airway, and calculated at 2000 feet below the aircraft altitude at approx FL 290. Avoidance action (left turn) and speed reduction to recommended turbulence speed was initiated about 20nm before the cell and the seat belt sign switched on; however during the initial part of the turn the aircraft experienced a sudden climb of 2300 feet per min (fpm) ie positive G followed by a sharp and sudden drop at about 1500 fpm, ie negative G. The crew reported that they were clear of cloud at the time of the incident.



The list of events are as follows:

Both flight deck meal trays thrown up and lost in the cockpit including beverages
Captain hit by flying coat hangar – no injury, FO OK
In Cabin 1 F/C desert trolley, and 5 J/Y meal carts thrown upwards in cabin
One economy meal cart flew up and landed on top of a cabin crewmember causing multiple injuries requiring immediate medical treatment
6 pax (seat belts unfastened) sustained injuries
Damage to 6 overhead PSU’s (oxygen mask units above seats)
Passenger meal trays thrown upwards, food and beverages spread over cabin walls, ceiling and floor
Hysterical and screaming passengers
2 doctors located on board
2 Company crew members travelling as pax provided assistance
Eventual aircraft diversion
Cabin crewmember and 3 pax required hospitalisation


DURATION OF THE SEVERE TURBULENCE WAS REPORTED TO BE 2 TO 3 SECONDS, HOWEVER FLIGHT DATA ANALYSIS HAS VERIFIED THE DURATION WAS 28 SECS !! - THEN NO FURTHER TURBULENCE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FLIGHT !



Please review the procedures for use of weather radar & avoidance FCOM 3.04.34 P3/5 and severe turbulence FCOM 3.4.91 P1, Boeing Vol 1 SP16.3 & Vol 6 8.27 and ensure frequent briefing and communication with FS & pax.



The investigation including DFDR & QAR flight data analysis ongoing, including review of procedures.



Impact of event on the Company - insurance, medical, aircraft damage & maintenance costs

[ia1166]

If she required immeadiate attention why did they carry on past india, past muscat and land in abu dhabi, more than 2 hours after the incident, and only 40 mins short of Bahrain? strange one this.