Flight Information
On 5 September 1996, Air France flight AFR437, a Boeing 747-400 registered as F-GITF, was operating a scheduled passenger service from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Paris Charles de Gaulle, France. The flight encountered severe turbulence during the en-route phase, leading to injuries and structural damage.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Boeing 747-400, serial number not specified, operated by Air France. The flight crew consisted of a captain, first officer, and a relief pilot. The cabin crew included multiple flight attendants. No information about the total occupancy was provided.
Meteorological Conditions
Prior to the flight, the crew received standard meteorological briefings. During the flight, no SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) was issued for the area where the turbulence occurred. Additionally, the on-board weather radar was reported as inoperative, which prevented the crew from detecting convective activity.
Accident Sequence
While cruising at flight level (FL) not specified, the aircraft encountered a zone of severe turbulence. The encounter was sudden and unexpected. The aircraft sustained damage to its interior and exterior structure. According to flight data recorder information, the vertical acceleration exceeded operational limits.
Injuries and Damage
One passenger sustained a serious injury, and two other occupants received minor injuries. The aircraft experienced substantial damage, particularly to cabin overhead bins, ceiling panels, and certain systems. No fatalities occurred.
Investigation Findings
The French Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA) determined that the accident was caused by the encounter with severe turbulence, the existence of which was not detected by the crew because the weather radar was not functioning and no meteorological information indicating the presence of the turbulence area was available to them.