Report into turbulence injuries on Virgin flight
A brief period of severe turbulence caused injuries to nine passengers and one cabin crew member on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Jamaica to London Gatwick.
A report released today by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said pilots had already changed course to avoid ‘significant weather’ they had seen on the weather radar.
But, when the turbulence struck there was no significant weather indicated on the radar.
The injured crew member, who was lying down in a rest area at the time, suffered head and neck injuries and had to be treated in hospital after landing at Gatwick.
Two passengers were also taken to hospital, one for a knee laceration.
The incident happened in the early hours of November 14 2013 around 300 miles south of St John’s in Newfoundland.
Medically qualified volunteers from among the 400 passengers had helped to care for the injured during the rest of the flight.
Detailing the incident, the report said: "The commander recalled seeing a flash outside, which he thought may have been lightning associated with a thunderstorm cell beneath the aircraft. Suddenly, the turbulence increased markedly and became severe for a while."
At one point the turbulence was so bad a crew member had trouble securing herself in her harness.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season