China Eastern crew reaction in severe turbulence

[A37575]

18th JUN, CHINA EASTERN, A330, MU774( CDG-KMG), 218 pax on board, 16 crew, when cruise at 39000 ft, around 03:04 am, at Russian control area, a/c experienced turbulence. 20 persons were sent to hospital, and 2 were seriously injured.
This is the most serious event that pax got injury due turbulence in recent years.

After landing in KMG, a/c received an inspection for serious turbulence and was found 39 damages in economy class. No damage was found on important systems external.

It was 5 hours later when landing from the moment the turbulence happened, therefore it’s impossible to pick up the cockpit voice. According to the crew, they regularly turned on radar for weather observation as at night time. They noticed the weather as early as from 150 NM away, with green radar return, but later, crew turned the radar off, and did not turn on till about 10 NM away of the weather, on AUTO, yellow on radar return, visual weather was 600 m straight below the a/c, so crew decided to fly over it and then experienced serious turbulence.

Decoding shows: With over speed alarm, Captain disconnected AP, throttle stick changed several times from idle, climb, MAX continuous and TOGA. Dual input, too large actions. A/c pitch altitude was changed several times too, MAX nose-up pitch 24.3 deg, MAX climb rate 12122 ft/min, MAX altitude up to 39472 ft, mini speed at 170 kt, nose-down pitch 12.7 deg, MAX descent rate 12300 ft/min, mini altitude 33848 ft. Max indicated speed 319 NM, MAX 0.917.During turbulence, Max bank angle 29 deg, Max overload 2.141G, Mini overload 0.336G.
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Threat and Error management non-existent:eek:

[john_tullamarine]

According to the crew, they regularly turned on radar for weather observation as at night time

Perhaps I'm just dumb .. why would you turn it off ? .. or is the modern day radar so different to the animal of old ?

[Capt Fathom]

I suspect perhaps the translation is not that accurate.

[ACMS]

Oh I'm sure it was still switched on, it's their brains that were off.

[A37575]

Fear of radiation and possible sterilisation seems to be the rationale
Good reason to employ 80 year old pilots who've had the snip and thus no fear of leaving the radar on :ok:

[Capn Bloggs]

Good reason to employ 80 year old pilots who've had the snip and thus no fear of leaving the radar on
They'll have to supply new boots, eh 575? ;)

[Oriana]

Fear of radiation, but smoke like chimneys.

[Capt Fathom]

Fear of radiation and possible sterilisation seems to be the rationale

I though that would be if you sat in front of the antenna, not behind it. :}