Severe Turbulence on Jet Blue Flight injures 24

[AmericanFlyer]

JetBlue Flight From Boston to Sacramento Hits Severe Turbulence - ABC News

[Hotel Tango]

Whilst I have sympathy for those who were on their way to or from the loo, plus the F/As doing their job, I have no sympathy for those who were sitting in their seats with belts unfastened. No matter how often pax hear the PA warning to keep their belts fastened when seated due to the possibility of unexpected turbulence, many still don't.

[AmericanFlyer]

Turbulence statistics

This article contains some very interesting statistics about turbulence in the US, for example:

- In 29 years, there were 234 turbulence accidents
- This caused 298 serious injuries and 3 fatalities
- Of these 298, 184 involved flight attendants
- Two of the fatalities were passengers not wearing seat belts while seat belt sign was illuminated
- 58 passengers are injured each year while not wearing seat belts

Jet Blue Flight Grounded by Turbulence. How Dangerous Is It?

[AmericanFlyer]

Toilet ripped from housing

'Like A Bad Dream': Turbulence On JetBlue Flight Injures 2 Dozen People : The Two-Way : NPR

[Basil]

You professional aviators/technical folks, do you think the event is one of "turbulence", or is it a "downdraft" in vicinity/within a CB?

Not being one of those on the flight deck, I'd say that my guess would be no better than yours as a professional meteorologist.

[Basil]

I know this is like my finger wagging re opening overhead lockers during an evac but, if your seatbelt is not fastened, you are not risking injury only to yourself but also to the small child upon whom you fall, probably at more than 1g.
Ex RAF and civ pilot, I ALWAYS have my seatbelt fastened - except, of course, when out of my seat.
Remember fasten the belt OVER blanket etc then CC won't have to wake you up to check

Once again apologies if I seem to be preaching.

[airjet]

Jet Blue turbulence

In all my 45 years of flying airliners, I only once got into severe turb, on approach into Kolkata, I just don't understand why pilots (some of them) can't understand that caving to the famous "the company won't like it if I go 50/75 miles R-or- L" is in NO WAY worse that the **** you will be in if u fly into a CB and a crew member or pax dies.

[Basil]

"the company won't like it if I go 50/75 miles R-or- L"

I'm thankful that I never came under that sort of pressure; or with fuel and I'll name the companies:
BA
Gulf Air
Cathay
EAC

[enola-gay]

And still the health and well being advice from British Airways is to walk up and down and aisle for gentle exercise during the flight. So people take that advice, see the belt sign is off and walk the aisle.

Apart from a nuisance to fellow passengers they also get no sympathy on this forum when they are injured in turbulence.

Either you are supposed to be strapped in or you are not. Encouraging walkabout as official guidance helps no one at all.

[barit1]

Hotel Tango:

I have no sympathy for those who were sitting in their seats with belts unfastened.

It's worse than that, of course. An unbelted pax in severe turbulence becomes an unguided missile.

[Hotel Tango]

It's worse than that, of course. An unbelted pax in severe turbulence becomes an unguided missile.

Well, yes, but so do all the bits and pieces on peoples' trays, some of which can be pretty lethal too, not to mention the service trolleys etc. Being strapped in is a no brainer but it may not necessarily prevent injury from "other" missiles flying around the cabin.

[barit1]

True, but one fewer of these 15-stone unguided missiles does improve the odds. There are risks I will take for good reason, but this is usually unnecessary risk. Akin to texting on the expressway.

[CityofFlight]

It truly puts my britches in a twist when so often here, many assume that injuries to pax = not paying attention to seat belt sign. Not saying there aren't offenders, but allow your brains to entertain that a few pax might be in the bathroom or waiting to enter. And quite possibly, the seat belt sign had not been turned on in time. Overhead bins come open and heavy bags land on unsuspecting pax.

I always buckle up, except when standing to use the bathroom, access to overhead bin or the seat belt sign is off.

Judge not and ye shall not be judged! ~

[jurassicjockey]

The point that you're missing, is that regardless of the status of the seat belt sign, if you're seated in your seat, then the belt should be on. If the seat belt sign is on, then you shouldn't be in the "loo"

[megan]

Overhead bins come open and heavy bags land on unsuspecting pax

Carry on is heavy????? I know, I know, but in the bin above me it ain't.

[Hotel Tango]

City of Flight: I believe we all on this thread have taken into account those on their way to or from the washrooms and of course the cabin crew going about their business. However, with 22 passenger injuries I would doubt that they were all in transit from/to the washroom (on an A320). The criticism is addressed to those who unbuckle as soon as the seat belt sign goes off until it comes back on again.

[Peter H]

Originally Posted by enola-gay

And still the health and well being advice from British Airways is to walk up and down and aisle for gentle exercise during the flight. So people take that advice, see the belt sign is off and walk the aisle.

Apart from a nuisance to fellow passengers they also get no sympathy on this forum when they are injured in turbulence.

Either you are supposed to be strapped in or you are not. Encouraging walkabout as official guidance helps no one at all.

Prevent DVT when you travel - Live Well - NHS Choices
Tips to reduce your risk of DVT during a long-distance flight, train or car journey:

• wear loose, comfortable clothes
• consider flight socks
• do anti-DVT exercises
• walk around whenever you can

[CRayner]

Am I the only one suspecting that the only way that lavatory pedestal could've been ripped out is with it being occupied by a rather large passenger at the time?

[Mr Optimistic]

Perhaps have a fixed notice on each seat back, and a box in the entertainment screen display that seat belts are to be worn when seated. Then change the overhead seat belt sign to say danger, return to seat immediately or something?

[vapilot2004]

- In 29 years, there were 234 turbulence accidents

This report could be misleading if the underlying methods are not taken into account. The NTSB classifies an "accident" as an event where death, serious injury or substantial damage to the aircraft occur. There are likely many times more turbulence incidents each year where cabin crew or passengers are injured, but not seriously.