Passengers Thrown by Turbulence Hit Ceiling with a 'Thud'... 7 Injured on Hawaiian Airlines

36 Injured in Turbulence 6 Months Ago
"Wearing Seatbelts Is More Important Than Anything"

A passenger plane flying over the Pacific Ocean encountered severe turbulence, injuring at least seven passengers.

According to AP News and ABC News on the 3rd (local time), the Hawaiian Airlines passenger plane departing from Honolulu, Hawaii, and heading to Sydney, Australia, encountered unexpected strong turbulence about five hours after takeoff at around 12:47 a.m. on the 29th of last month.

A Hawaiian Airlines passenger plane heading to Sydney, Australia, was caught in severe turbulence, injuring seven people. [Image source - ABC News]

The aircraft was carrying 163 passengers and 12 crew members. However, due to the strong turbulence, a total of seven people?four passengers and three crew members?were injured and received treatment. Fortunately, the injuries were reported to be not serious.

Passenger Sultan Baskoniyali, who was on the flight, told ABC News, "The plane suddenly dropped down," adding, "We were completely unprepared." He continued, "One man was thrown upward, hit his head on the ceiling, and then fell."

[Image source=Yonhap News Agency·Hawaiian Airlines]

Previously, about six months ago in December last year, a Hawaiian Airlines passenger plane also encountered severe turbulence, injuring dozens of passengers. On December 18th last year, a passenger plane traveling from Phoenix, USA, to Honolulu encountered strong turbulence at an altitude of 10,000 meters about 30 minutes before landing, injuring at least 36 people. Among the injured, 11 were seriously hurt, and a 14-month-old baby was also included in the list of the injured.

Meanwhile, according to Paul Williams, an atmospheric science professor at the University of Reading in the UK, turbulence occurs when swirling air currents collide with the airplane's wings. At this time, the airplane's wings move up and down, or the aircraft shakes from side to side.

In particular, academic circles have analyzed that due to the impact of climate change, turbulence caused by sudden changes in wind speed or direction in clear skies, resulting in gusts, has become more frequent.

Experts advise that it is most important for passengers to wear seat belts during turbulence. Also, when traveling with infants under two years old, it is necessary to use pre-approved dedicated seats and securely fasten electronic devices.