What happened
Between January 2015 and December 2019, several flights operated by four major air operators in the United Arab Emirates encountered in-flight turbulence that resulted in both minor and serious injuries. During this five-year period, the study identified a significant number of occurrences where passengers and cabin crewmembers were injured. Notably, four of these events were classified as accidents because they resulted in serious injuries. Data from the operators indicated that out of approximately 2.2 million departures, there were 5 and 81 turbulence-related occurrences causing 904 injuries, including 14 serious cases. The study also noted that the rate of injury for cabin crewmembers was approximately four times higher than that of passengers, likely because crewmembers are often actively performing service duties when unpredicted turbulence strikes.
The investigation
The GCAA AAIS conducted a comprehensive safety study (SRP/0002/2020) to analyze trends in turbulence-related injuries. The investigation utilized several data streams, including the GCAA’s Reporting of Safety Incidents (ROSI) database, direct data provided by the four primary UAE air operators, and official AAIS accident investigation records. The researchers examined the frequency of encounters, the flight phases involved, and the geographic distribution of the events. The study also evaluated the consistency of reporting between the national database and individual airline records, noting significant discrepancies in the volume of reported injuries and occurrences.
Findings
- Clear air turbulence was identified as the primary cause for the investigated accidents and the majority of turbulence-related injuries.
- A high concentration of severe turbulence and serious injuries occurred within the Chennai (Bay of Bengal) and Jakarta (Indonesia) Flight Information Regions (FIRs), which accounted for 75% of severe encounters and 90% of serious injuries.
- Most severe turbulence events occurred during the cruise phase of flight, specifically at altitudes between FL300 and FL400, primarily during the months of May through October.
- There was a notable inconsistency in reporting; the ROSI database recorded 100 occurrences and 252 injuries, while operator data showed 581 occurrences and 904 injuries.
- The study found that the lack of a unified interpretation of reporting criteria among operators hindered the accuracy of the national safety data.
Safety action
To improve cabin safety and data integrity, the AAIS issued several recommendations:
- The GCAA should collaborate with aircraft manufacturers and operators to conduct a risk-based study on potential cabin modifications, such as improved handholds, to mitigate crew injury risks.
- The ROSI e-reporting system should be updated with a standardized taxonomy, including specific fields for turbulence severity, type, injury details, and the specific location of injured occupants within the cabin.
- The GCAA should provide clearer guidance within the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) to ensure all turbulence-related injuries are consistently reported by air operators.