History of the Flight
On 4 December 2023, an Emirates Airbus A380-861, registration A6-EEV, was operating scheduled passenger flight EK421 from Perth International Airport, Australia, to Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates. The flight crew consisted of the Commander (pilot flying), the Copilot (pilot monitoring), and an augmenting captain seated in the third cockpit seat.
According to statements, the crew reported being fit and well-rested. The Commander received the briefing package ahead of time and described the information as "not special" given his extensive experience on the route. He briefed the cabin crew on expected weather but did not highlight any specific severe turbulence conditions, as the operational flight plan did not indicate such. The cabin supervisor confirmed no mention of severe turbulence during the briefing. The Copilot stated that no precautionary measures for severe turbulence were discussed because the crew did not anticipate it.
The aircraft took off from Perth at 1428:53 UTC. The takeoff was uneventful and smooth, as confirmed by the augmenting captain's statement and digital flight data recorder data.
At 2029:35 UTC, the aircraft entered Male flight information region (FIR) from the SUNAN waypoint. The Commander noted an off-path cell forming at the 11 o'clock position. The augmenting captain, who had assumed pilot monitoring duties while the Copilot was on break, observed off-path weather on the radar at approximately 10 o'clock, 20 to 30 nautical miles away, and confirmed visually clear skies. He also noted clouds below the aircraft and off-path weather about 10 nautical miles ahead as a low layer of clouds significantly below the aircraft.
Injuries
According to the report, there were 5 serious injuries and 23 minor injuries among passengers and crew. No other injuries were reported.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained damage to the cabin.
Meteorological Information
The report mentions that the flight encountered severe turbulence in Male airspace. The operational flight plan and briefing did not indicate severe turbulence. The weather radar showed off-path cells, but the crew did not anticipate turbulence severe enough to warrant special precautions.
Flight Recorders
Data from the digital flight data recorder (DFDR) was retrieved and confirmed the uneventful takeoff. Cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data was also available for the investigation.
Personnel Information
The flight crew consisted of a Commander, Copilot, and an augmenting captain. All held valid licenses and were fit for duty. The Commander had extensive experience on the route.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Airbus A380-861, manufacturer serial number 150, equipped with four General Electric GE90 engines. The report includes references to the aircraft's weather radar modes but no further operational details.
Ongoing Investigation
The Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) of the United Arab Emirates is leading the investigation, with the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) of France providing an accredited representative and advisers from the aircraft manufacturer. The investigation is in its early stages; a final report will be issued upon completion.