What happened
On 6 December 2024, an Airbus A380-841, registration G-XLEI, was operating a commercial passenger flight from Los Angeles to London Heathrow. While cruising at FL390 over the Atlantic Ocean, south of Greenland, the aircraft entered an area of turbulence.
Prior to the event, the flight crew had been monitoring a live weather application on their electronic flight bags, which provided real-time updates via Wi-Fi. Although pre-flight documentation contained no significant weather warnings, the crew noted a developing area of potential severe turbulence via the app. In accordance with company procedures for anticipated turbulence, the commander activated the passenger seat belt signs and instructed cabin crew to secure equipment and take their seats.
Approximately 20 minutes after the signs were activated, the aircraft experienced a period of turbulence lasting between 10 and 15 seconds. During this movement, a member of the cabin crew was injured while attempting to fasten her seat, resulting in a broken ankle. Simultaneously, a passenger who had been walking to the lavatory was also injured, sustaining a broken ankle due to the sudden upward and sideways movement of the aircraft. A third, unrelated medical emergency involving an unconscious passenger also occurred during the flight.
The investigation
The AAIB examined flight data, which showed that while the pilot perceived the turbulence as light to moderate, recorded vertical accelerations reached a maximum of 2.1g. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological data provided by the Met Office, which confirmed the aircraft was positioned within a large area of moderate turbulence.
Investigators also looked into the crew's use of the 'Turbulence Aware' platform and their consultation with MedLink, a ground-based medical advisory service. The investigation noted that the commander had considered diverting to Gander or Keflavik, but due to poor weather and contaminated runways at those locations, the decision was made to proceed to London.
Findings
- The primary cause of the injuries was a brief period of turbulence that caused individuals to fall or lose footing.
- The crew's proactive use of live weather technology allowed them to anticipate the turbulence and activate seat belt signs before the event occurred.
- The use of ground-based medical advisory services assisted the crew in managing the medical emergencies and deciding whether to divert.
- Onboard doctors and cabin crew successfully managed the casualties using both standard medical kits and improvised splints.