What happened
On May 27, 2025, at approximately 03:47 UTC, an Airbus A320-251, registered as HK-5388, encountered turbulence while operating a commercial passenger flight from Medellín, Colombia, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The aircraft was descending through 19,200 feet near San Antonio de Areco, within the Buenos Aires Terminal Area (TMA), when it entered a region of atmospheric instability characterized by convective activity and rain.
During this period of turbulence, a flight attendant working in the aft galley was struck by a galley trolley door. The impact resulted in an injury to the crew member. The flight crew was immediately notified of the incident by another cabin crew member, prompting the captain to request medical assistance upon arrival at the destination airport.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted as a desk inquiry, focused on the circumstances surrounding the encounter with unstable air and the subsequent injury. The aircraft arrived at Ministro Pistarini International Airport at 04:03 UTC. Following the disembarkation of passengers, the injured crew member was evaluated by airport medical services and subsequently transported to a healthcare facility for further care.
Technical inspections were performed on the Airbus A320-251 to assess any potential structural impact from the turbulence. The maintenance review confirmed that no structural damage was present and that no loads had exceeded established operational parameters. The aircraft was cleared to return to service immediately.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the encounter with turbulence caused by an unstable air mass and convective activity in the northern region of the Buenos Aires province.
- The injury to the cabin crew member was a direct result of the aircraft's motion during the turbulence, which caused a galley trolley to strike the individual.