AOM-Minerve DC-10 Turbulence Incident over the Atlantic

Incident Overview and Flight Details On August 8, 1997, at 00:42 UTC, a McDonnell-Douglas DC-10-30 with registration F-GNEM, operated by AOM-Minerve S.A., experienced severe turbulence while cruising at flight level 350 over the North Atlantic. The aircraft was on a scheduled passenger flight IW 314 from Pointe-à-Pitre to Paris Orly. The estimated position of the incident was 35°20' N - 042°55' W. The flight departed Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet on August 7, 1997, at 21:32 UTC, carrying 12 crew members and 225 passengers. ## Casualties and Aircraft Damage The turbulence resulted in no fatalities. Two crew members and 41 passengers were injured, with 184 passengers and 10 crew members remaining uninjured. The aircraft sustained minor damage, including damaged armrests and some cracks in the false ceiling. No other damage was reported. ## Crew and Operational Context The flight crew consisted of a 55-year-old captain, a 37-year-old first officer, and a 40-year-old flight engineer. The captain had 13,439 total flight hours, including 4,344 on the type, and had been employed by AOM-Minerve S.A. since July 1, 1994. The first officer had 4,838 total flight hours, including 2,285 on the type, and had been employed by the operator since June 6, 1994. ## Post-Incident Actions Following the turbulence event, the flight crew, in consultation with a passenger who was a doctor, decided to continue the flight. At 01:12 UTC, the captain reported the incident to New York Oceanic. The aircraft landed safely at Paris Orly at 05:18 UTC, where emergency services were on standby. Forty-three injured individuals were treated and evacuated to nearby hospitals.