Two individuals aboard a British Airways flight sustained fractured ankles due to turbulence encountered en route to London. An investigation revealed that a passenger and a cabin crew member suffered serious leg injuries 20 minutes after the seatbelt signs were activated. The BA flight was traveling from Los Angeles to London Heathrow on December 6, 2024, when the incident occurred.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch disclosed that the turbulence, lasting between 10 and 15 seconds, was perceived as mild to moderate by the captain. The injured passenger described a sudden upward and sideways movement of the aircraft as he was returning to his seat, leading to his ankle injury. The report mentioned that he was unaware of the activated seatbelt signs as he was sleeping before leaving his seat. The injured crew member was adjusting her seatbelt when the turbulence elevated her, causing a fall and ankle fracture. Quick medical assistance was provided by other crew members and two passengers who were doctors. Shortly after the turbulence injuries, another passenger fell ill and lost consciousness.
The turbulence incident occurred above the Atlantic Ocean, south of Greenland. Although diverting to airports in Canada or Iceland was considered, the captain deemed those options unsuitable and proceeded to Heathrow, where ambulances awaited to transport the three injured individuals to the hospital.
It is mandatory for passengers to fasten their seatbelts when the relevant signs are illuminated. The captain of the British Airways flight activated the signs preemptively after monitoring weather conditions on his tablet device.
The AAIB concluded that more passengers could have been affected if precautions had not been taken. A British Airways spokesperson emphasized the priority of safety and the training of the crew to manage such rare events.
In a separate incident, on May 21, 2024, Geoff Kitchen, 73, from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, passed away after a suspected heart attack on a Singapore Airlines flight that encountered severe turbulence. Seven individuals sustained serious injuries, and several others had minor injuries on the flight from Heathrow to Singapore. Witnesses described a dramatic drop in the Boeing 777 plane, causing unrestrained passengers to hit the ceiling.
Post-turbulence images revealed damage to the cabin ceiling and scattered debris throughout.