What happened
On September 20, 2008, China Airlines flight CI 687, a Boeing 747-400 with registration B-18211, was operating a scheduled passenger service from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport to Bali, Indonesia. The aircraft was carrying 339 passengers and a total of 19 crew members. At approximately 11:27 Taipei time, while flying near the LULBU waypoint on the M754 airway, the aircraft encountered intense turbulence. The sudden instability caused the captain and two passengers to sustain serious injuries, while an additional 3 crew members and 19 passengers suffered minor injuries. The aircraft eventually landed safely at Bali International Airport at 14:03.
The investigation
The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) conducted a three-month investigation into the incident. Investigators examined the aircraft's weather radar performance, cockpit-to-cabin communication protocols, and the effectiveness of passenger safety procedures. The investigation also reviewed the airline's manual consistency regarding turbulence definitions and the crew's response to the weather event. Physical inspections of the cabin were performed, specifically focusing on seats 57H and 58H, which were involved in the injuries, to determine if any mechanical failures contributed to the incident.