sidestick driver
5th Sep 2007, 02:08
Scare in the air as turbulence injures 26 (http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=52504&sid=15167396&con_type=3&d_str=20070831&sear_year=2007)
Staff reporter
Friday, August 31, 2007
Twenty-six passengers and crew on a Hong Kong-bound flight from Mauritius were injured when their aircraft encountered turbulence shortly before landing at Chek Lap Kok yesterday.
The pilot of Air Mauritius MK640 called aviation officials at Hong Kong International Airport for assistance at 12.23pm, a spokesman for the Airport Authority said.
The Airbus landed safely 25 minutes later with ambulances on standby, he said.
A passenger told reporters there was no announcement before the aircraft hit turbulence.
He said the cabin was shaken for two minutes and luggage was scattered all over the floor.
"About 10 people were injured," he said.
"One guy had a neck injury ... I was very scared."
Another said some passengers did not have their seatbelts fastened and were thrown up against the roof of the cabin.
A police spokeswoman said the aircraft carried 293 passengers.
Five crew members and 21 passengers suffered head injuries and cuts and were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital.
Another 20 passengers were sent to a clinic for medical treatment.
None of the passengers was a Hong Kong citizen, according to the police.
Two passengers were carried away in stretchers while others were able to walk to an emergency room.
Most were quickly released from hospital but four people, including an 11-year-old, needed further treatment. They were said to be in a in stable condition.
Civil Aviation director general Norman Lo Shung-man said the aircraft ran
into turbulence outside Hong Kong airspace.
Air traffic control staff were not informed in advance of the number of injured aboard the aircraft.
Lo said the department will investigate the incident.
Staff reporter
Friday, August 31, 2007
Twenty-six passengers and crew on a Hong Kong-bound flight from Mauritius were injured when their aircraft encountered turbulence shortly before landing at Chek Lap Kok yesterday.
The pilot of Air Mauritius MK640 called aviation officials at Hong Kong International Airport for assistance at 12.23pm, a spokesman for the Airport Authority said.
The Airbus landed safely 25 minutes later with ambulances on standby, he said.
A passenger told reporters there was no announcement before the aircraft hit turbulence.
He said the cabin was shaken for two minutes and luggage was scattered all over the floor.
"About 10 people were injured," he said.
"One guy had a neck injury ... I was very scared."
Another said some passengers did not have their seatbelts fastened and were thrown up against the roof of the cabin.
A police spokeswoman said the aircraft carried 293 passengers.
Five crew members and 21 passengers suffered head injuries and cuts and were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital.
Another 20 passengers were sent to a clinic for medical treatment.
None of the passengers was a Hong Kong citizen, according to the police.
Two passengers were carried away in stretchers while others were able to walk to an emergency room.
Most were quickly released from hospital but four people, including an 11-year-old, needed further treatment. They were said to be in a in stable condition.
Civil Aviation director general Norman Lo Shung-man said the aircraft ran
into turbulence outside Hong Kong airspace.
Air traffic control staff were not informed in advance of the number of injured aboard the aircraft.
Lo said the department will investigate the incident.