Avianca Airbus A320 Turbulence Incident Near San Antonio de Areco (HK-5388)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On May 27, 2025, at 03:47 UTC, an Airbus A320-251 with registration HK-5388, operated by Avianca, encountered turbulence while en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The incident occurred approximately 8 nautical miles from the SNT VOR in San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires Province. The flight, designated AVA111, was a commercial passenger service that had departed from José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia, at 22:05 UTC on May 26, 2025. ## Operational Context and Event Sequence The aircraft was cruising at flight level 370 when it entered the BAIRES Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) to begin its descent. At the time, an unstable air mass with rain and convective activity was present in the northern part of Buenos Aires Province. As the aircraft crossed 19,200 feet over San Antonio de Areco, it passed through a zone of turbulence. During this encounter, a cabin crew member located in the rear galley struck a trolley door, resulting in a personal injury. ## Response and Aftermath Another cabin crew member assisted the injured individual and immediately notified the flight deck. The commander requested medical assistance upon arrival. The aircraft landed at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport at 04:03 UTC on May 27. After passengers disembarked, the injured crew member was evaluated by airport medical services and transported to a health center, later returning to the crew hotel. ## Aircraft Inspection and Investigation Scope The aircraft was directed to maintenance for a turbulence inspection. The examination revealed no structural damage and no loads outside established parameters, allowing the aircraft to return to service and complete flight AVA112. The Argentine Transport Safety Board (JST) classified the event as an incident and conducted a desk investigation using the ECCAIRS platform. The investigation focused on systemic factors and operational defenses rather than assigning fault.