TOKYO- Fort Worth-based American Airlines (AA) flight from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to New York (JFK) experienced severe turbulence injuring two flight attendants.
The incident occurred on Friday (November 15, 2024) on American Airlines flight AA168.
American Airlines Flight Attendants Injured
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported the incident in its Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) report. FAA said,
AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE INJURYING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, TOKYO, JAPAN.
FAA Report
According to FlightRadar24 data, the American Airlines flight AAL168 or AA168 took off from Tokyo at 9:01 AM UTC.
After being airborne for around 12 hours the flight landed safely at New York JFK at 8:51 PM UTC. It is unclear at which place turbulence occurred, however, based on FR24 data it may have occurred near the US coast.
The aircraft involved in the incident is a 7-year-old Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered as N833AA.
There were 279 passengers, eight flight attendants, and four flight crew onboard the flight.
We have reached out to American Airlines for comments and will update it.
Similar Incidents
A woman in her 40s and a child under 10 suffered bruises and lacerations during turbulence on Qantas flight QF528 from Sydney to Brisbane on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
The turbulence occurred while the plane cruised at 35,000 feet. Despite the seatbelt sign being on, reports indicate the pair were not wearing seatbelts when the incident happened.
After the plane landed safely in Brisbane at 5:03 AM UTC, paramedics treated the injured passengers at The Prince Charles Hospital. A third passenger reportedly declined medical assistance.
FlightRadar24 data revealed that the flight, delayed by 45 minutes, departed Sydney at 3:58 AM UTC. The turbulence involved clear air turbulence (CAT), a phenomenon difficult to predict, particularly in calm skies. Despite the mid-air disruption, the one-hour flight proceeded to its destination without further complications.
A Qantas spokesperson emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety, stating,
Our pilots and cabin crew are highly trained to manage various onboard situations, including turbulence, but we understand this would have been unsettling. We appreciate our customers’ cooperation.”
Lufthansa Turbulence
Similarly, Lufthansa flight LH511 from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt encountered severe turbulence over the Atlantic, leaving 11 people injured. The Boeing 747-8, carrying 329 passengers and 19 crew members, landed safely in Frankfurt at 10:53 AM local time on Tuesday.
A Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed that five passengers and six crew members sustained mostly minor injuries. Medical teams provided immediate care to the injured upon arrival. The airline emphasized that the flight’s safety was never compromised despite the turbulence.
The turbulence occurred within an intertropical convergence zone, a region known for unstable atmospheric conditions. The aircraft had initially climbed to 33,000 feet and attempted to ascend to 35,000 feet to avoid turbulence. During this maneuver, five unrestrained passengers were injured, according to AirLive.net.
The airline reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and highlighted the importance of wearing seatbelts during flight. The spokesperson told Reuters,
Unfortunately, five passengers and six crew members suffered mostly minor injuries.”
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