History of Flight
On 28 May 2021, Asiana Airlines flight 8913 (registration HL7528, a Boeing 767-300) departed Gimpo International Airport at 07:53 KST bound for Jeju Airport. While climbing through approximately 16,700 ft over Yesan, Chungnam, the aircraft encountered turbulence. At the time, a cabin attendant was working in the aft galley. The turbulence caused her to fall, resulting in a fractured left ankle.
Injuries and Damage
A total of 241 people were on board, including 8 flight and cabin crew members. Only one cabin crew member sustained injury; no other occupants were harmed. The aircraft itself was not damaged.
Flight Information
The flight crew consisted of a captain and a first officer. The captain reported that the aircraft encountered turbulence during climb and that no prior warning was received from air traffic control or weather radar. The first officer also noted the turbulence and the injury to the cabin crew. The purser stated that the injured cabin attendant had been at the aft galley when the turbulence occurred. The injured cabin crew member reported being thrown to the floor and unable to protect herself.
Investigation
The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) conducted the investigation. The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data were analyzed. Meteorological information indicated possible convective activity in the area. The investigation determined that the aircraft encountered turbulence on its air corridor during climb. Contributing factors included the pilot's lack of effort to avoid turbulence and the injured cabin crew's lack of self-protection during turbulence.
Safety Recommendations
As a result of the investigation, the ARAIB issued two safety recommendations to Asiana Airlines to prevent similar occurrences.