Not sure if this has been posted, I searched and didn't find anything.

From Hawaii News Now:
"Thirty-six people were injured Sunday, including 11 seriously, when a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu hit severe turbulence about 30 minutes before landing."

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/12/1 ... urbulence/

Picture of what looks like cracks in the PSU: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmU8z9esbl7/

Just saw this on a family.com. This is why I always keep my seatbelt on even when the sign is off.

I saw in the article one of the pax treated was just 18 months old!

This isn’t, or shouldn’t be, news. The tropics can have nasty, unexpected turbulence. Wear your seatbelt. Not hard.

Cubsrule wrote:

This isn’t, or shouldn’t be, news. The tropics can have nasty, unexpected turbulence. Wear your seatbelt. Not hard.

36 injured people is IS news.

Cubsrule wrote:

This isn’t, or shouldn’t be, news. The tropics can have nasty, unexpected turbulence. Wear your seatbelt. Not hard.

This is definitely news. Having multiple injuries on a flight is not a usual occurrence.

There is an audio only press conference on YT.

This is a perfect example of the times in which we live. AA 280 out of Seoul was much worse back in 2015. But a news conference?

ozark1 wrote:

This is a perfect example of the times in which we live. AA 280 out of Seoul was much worse back in 2015. But a news conference?

I am happy to live in times where injuries makes the news.
The main mission of an airline is to carry passengers safely to their destination.

N393HA was the aircraft, isn't that the bird with the uncommanded pitch issue?

kiowa wrote:

Cubsrule wrote:

This isn’t, or shouldn’t be, news. The tropics can have nasty, unexpected turbulence. Wear your seatbelt. Not hard.

36 injured people is IS news.

If any of those 36 were belted, sure. But something tells me they weren’t . . .

Put on your seat belt all the time, unless you are leaving your seats to go to the lavatory, etc. The seat belt is not restrictive and not something uncomfortable. If people can wear the seat belts in their cars without problems, why they need to unbuckle right after that seat belt light turns off? I even keep my seat belt fastened when I sleep in lie-flat business class seats.

Cubsrule wrote:

If any of those 36 were belted, sure. But something tells me they weren’t . . .

You do know that people are free to move about the cabin, right? If the seatbelt sign is off, they do not have to be in their seat. How do you know the circumstances of the people who were injured? Maybe they were feeding their baby, or getting something out of the overhead locker, or stretching their legs, or going to the bathrooms...

Looks like they flew through some nasty weather. Ugh, I am sure many of those people were sleeping on the flight when it happened.

Goodbye wrote:

Cubsrule wrote:

If any of those 36 were belted, sure. But something tells me they weren’t . . .

You do know that people are free to move about the cabin, right? If the seatbelt sign is off, they do not have to be in their seat. How do you know the circumstances of the people who were injured? Maybe they were feeding their baby, or getting something out of the overhead locker, or stretching their legs, or going to the bathrooms...

Hawaii News Now:

The seatbelt sign was on at the time the flight encountered the turbulence.

Officials discuss severe turbulence on HNL-bound flight that left 36 passengers, crew injured
Statement to Press
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP1h5xcOTqY

36 people injured, including 11 seriously, after Honolulu-bound flight hits severe turbulence
Response Team Director
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux3DaUdVEhU

36 injured after ‘rare’ pocket of severe turbulence hits Honolulu-bound plane shortly before landing
Passenger Reports
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR74LI39U8c

I just read somewhere (lost the link) that apparently, the cracking in the PSU I posted in the original post was not a result of the turbulence directly; rather, it was from a passenger's hydroflash hitting the PSU... Yikes.

joeycapps wrote:

I just read somewhere (lost the link) that apparently, the cracking in the PSU I posted in the original post was not a result of the turbulence directly; rather, it was from a passenger's hydroflash hitting the PSU... Yikes.

What’s a hydro flash ?

Max Q wrote:

joeycapps wrote:

I just read somewhere (lost the link) that apparently, the cracking in the PSU I posted in the original post was not a result of the turbulence directly; rather, it was from a passenger's hydroflash hitting the PSU... Yikes.

What’s a hydro flash ?

Probably an autocorrect.... I presume it was intended as Hydro Flask.

Acey559 wrote:

Max Q wrote:

joeycapps wrote:

I just read somewhere (lost the link) that apparently, the cracking in the PSU I posted in the original post was not a result of the turbulence directly; rather, it was from a passenger's hydroflash hitting the PSU... Yikes.

What’s a hydro flash ?

Probably an autocorrect.... I presume it was intended as Hydro Flask.

Thank you, yes. I'm not sure what I (or the computer) was thinking, but I meant Hydro Flask.

joeycapps wrote:

Acey559 wrote:

Max Q wrote:

What’s a hydro flash ?

Probably an autocorrect.... I presume it was intended as Hydro Flask.

Thank you, yes. I'm not sure what I (or the computer) was thinking, but I meant Hydro Flask.

Understood, I thought it might have been an obscure but fast superhero

….and passengers still look at me as if I’ve told them to chew their arm off when I go through the cabin asking them to put their seat belts on when we enter an area of turbulence.

Any footage?

How is healthcare coverage due to the incident paid for?

Passengers on their own through whatever insurance they may have and file a lawsuit against Hawaiian for any out of pocket costs — eg, deductibles?

Uninsured passengers on their own for all costs unless they file a lawsuit against Hawaiian?

Hawaiian picks up the tab?

How is this covered in the contract of carriage?

ozark1 wrote:

This is a perfect example of the times in which we live. AA 280 out of Seoul was much worse back in 2015. But a news conference?

So that there's no misunderstanding: a flight that resulted in 36 injuries, some of them serious, is unnewsworthy in your book?

Looks like a few folks here who said this isn't news worthy may have tapped into The Egg Nog a little bit early. Of course it's serious.

I always wonder when this happens on a busy lane for air traffic— why only one plane with an incident. Thank goodness it is only one but is the turbulence so hyper local that another airplane three minutes behind on the same path to Honolulu wouldn’t experience the same?

This is definitely news and i hope those all injured, recover shortly but if you are sat in your seat why on earth can you not buckle the belt. its not rocket science.

Why are mods deleting all of the threads on this?

HNL activated their mass casualty incident response procedure, 11 people in serious condition is indeed not a typical occurrence.

joeycapps wrote:

Acey559 wrote:

Max Q wrote:

What’s a hydro flash ?

Probably an autocorrect.... I presume it was intended as Hydro Flask.

Thank you, yes. I'm not sure what I (or the computer) was thinking, but I meant Hydro Flask.

Hydro Flask aka reusable water bottle (steel, poly, etc.) with a lid of some sort.

Question; can volcano heat cause thermal turbulence? I was flying (pax) in the area recently and it seemed like we experienced that. It was spooky because dead calm, then wham, some chop big enough to upset a 757 and require course corrections. This was about ten miles beside Mauna Loa.

Okay, can't help myself... this is my "Get Off My Lawn" moment...

We have dedicated signage, auditory noise/announcements, flight attendants to "remind" folks to keep their seatbelts fastened regardless of flight conditions. I'm gonna guess the common thread here is lack of seatbelt usage.

The only thing I would change is calling seatbelts "Darwin Devices" as your choice to not take advantage of the simple safety devices designed to prevent you from becoming a projectile is considered to be too restrictive. Let evolution take its course.

Too many folks are insulated from the consequences of their poor decision-making. Maybe we stop the insanity by letting them suffer the consequences?

raylee67 wrote:

Put on your seat belt all the time, unless you are leaving your seats to go to the lavatory, etc. The seat belt is not restrictive and not something uncomfortable. If people can wear the seat belts in their cars without problems, why they need to unbuckle right after that seat belt light turns off? I even keep my seat belt fastened when I sleep in lie-flat business class seats.

sgbroimp wrote:

:thumbsup:

raylee67 wrote:

Put on your seat belt all the time, unless you are leaving your seats to go to the lavatory, etc. The seat belt is not restrictive and not something uncomfortable. If people can wear the seat belts in their cars without problems, why they need to unbuckle right after that seat belt light turns off? I even keep my seat belt fastened when I sleep in lie-flat business class seats.

Amén. You can’t idiot proof the world. For the belt sign to be on and 36 people up sounds like it was ignored.

DL757NYC wrote:

sgbroimp wrote:

:thumbsup:

raylee67 wrote:

Put on your seat belt all the time, unless you are leaving your seats to go to the lavatory, etc. The seat belt is not restrictive and not something uncomfortable. If people can wear the seat belts in their cars without problems, why they need to unbuckle right after that seat belt light turns off? I even keep my seat belt fastened when I sleep in lie-flat business class seats.

Amén. You can’t idiot proof the world. For the belt sign to be on and 36 people up sounds like it was ignored.

Ah blaming the flight crew being out of their seats too? Most people don't unbuckle when the seat belt sign is turned off...Making a lot bad assumptions here.

OldB747Driver wrote:

Okay, can't help myself... this is my "Get Off My Lawn" moment...

We have dedicated signage, auditory noise/announcements, flight attendants to "remind" folks to keep their seatbelts fastened regardless of flight conditions. I'm gonna guess the common thread here is lack of seatbelt usage.

The only thing I would change is calling seatbelts "Darwin Devices" as your choice to not take advantage of the simple safety devices designed to prevent you from becoming a projectile is considered to be too restrictive. Let evolution take its course.

Too many folks are insulated from the consequences of their poor decision-making. Maybe we stop the insanity by letting them suffer the consequences?

I'm with you. On an aircraft I never even notice the seatbelt is on me. Once in a while I'll feel it in a vehicle due to the shoulder strap but even that I barely notice. I don't understand why anybody wouldn't wear a seatbelt when you can watch a video that shows how they work to protect you. People die in preventable fashion all the time getting ejected from vehicles. 30 years ago a girl in my high school died when she got ejected. The accident was reckless driving to start with but if she had her seatbelt on she would likely have been fine.

Worst turbulence I ever experienced was en-route to HNL, about the same point as this incident (30 minutes or so prior to landing). Seatbelt fastened at all times when seated is a good rule of thumb - I follow that rule without exception.

It may be warm in the islands year-round, but mother nature still knows that the northern hemisphere is in winter, and she unleashes some VICIOUS turbulence over the Pacific at this time of year.

I will never forget my trip with Hawaiian Airlines in February, 2009, as we were beginning our initial descent to HNL. We were informed politely but firmly by our captain that "turbulence is expected, and you need to return to your seats at this time and buckle up FIRMLY". The cabin crew took the opportunity to move quickly to batten down the hatches and secure the plane as quickly as possible.

However, just before the descent began, paper and pens were distributed to passengers, along with the display of a short video (by an extraordinarily mellow man, almost as if hypnotized) describing why we are filling out a customs-like form against invasive species. "While you fill out your form, here is a gentle and soothing hula dance to welcome you to our islands".

Needless to say, the surreal combination of the gentle Hawaiian song and dance, coupled with winter turbulence going on for 10+ minutes, all while trying to fill out a form on try tables, as our papers start to look like the woman in "Airplane!" trying to put her make-up on.

I'd give you any two of the three, but all together? I couldn't stop laughing, even though turbulence isn't a laughing matter.

Seriously, though, seat belt usage in automobiles has gone up drastically in the last 50 years, so why isn't it more prevalent on airplanes?

At 30 minutes before arrival, I'm making a last trip to the lav. On an A330, I would suspect there was a line for the loo.

LCDFlight wrote:

Question; can volcano heat cause thermal turbulence? I was flying (pax) in the area recently and it seemed like we experienced that. It was spooky because dead calm, then wham, some chop big enough to upset a 757 and require course corrections. This was about ten miles beside Mauna Loa.

Not really, but a couple 10,000+ foot islands in the middle of an ocean certainly generates some strong eddies as an upset to the prevailing winds.

Okay, can't help myself... this is my "Get Off My Lawn" moment...

We have dedicated signage, auditory noise/announcements, flight attendants to "remind" folks to keep their seatbelts fastened regardless of flight conditions. I'm gonna guess the common thread here is lack of seatbelt usage.

The only thing I would change is calling seatbelts "Darwin Devices" as your choice to not take advantage of the simple safety devices designed to prevent you from becoming a projectile is considered to be too restrictive. Let evolution take its course.

Too many folks are insulated from the consequences of their poor decision-making. Maybe we stop the insanity by letting them suffer the consequences?

Absolutely. People make poor choices, and don't like being told what to do. Fine. Enjoy the consequences. People, you're in a metal tube going several hundred miles an hour. A sudden unexpected change in direction will make an unrestrained human body fly around violently. That's why cars have seatbelts, but again, people don't want to feel ''confined'' and won't use them. Well then, you must expect an event with serious injury or worse. Had a couple fatal vehicle accidents in my area recently - in one, a pickup went off the road into a ditch, driver not wearing his belt was ejected and killed. Belted passenger just got a couple of scratches.

Hoping for a speedy recovery for all involved.

Cubsrule wrote:

This isn’t, or shouldn’t be, news. The tropics can have nasty, unexpected turbulence. Wear your seatbelt. Not hard.

36 people injured on an airline flight isn't news? Wow.

My sympathies for the injured flight attendants and passengers in the lavatory or otherwise momentarily standing. I have no compassion for those injured while seated without their seatbelts fastened; they brought this upon themselves.

Why people can't follow simple instructions is beyond me. HA bears no responsibility for people knowingly jeopardizing their lives, and if anything should ban them for the needless resources they have taken and damages they have caused.

Unfortunately, wanton stupidity is incurable.

I think that what the poster said about not being news meant that had everyone been wearing seatbelts, it would not have been so newsworthy.
Let’s all calm down.

Cubsrule wrote:

kiowa wrote:

Cubsrule wrote:

This isn’t, or shouldn’t be, news. The tropics can have nasty, unexpected turbulence. Wear your seatbelt. Not hard.

36 injured people is IS news.

If any of those 36 were belted, sure. But something tells me they weren’t . . .

So, not news worthy because it was all their fault? Not sure of the point you are making.

The 14 month old was probably a lap child, and because the parent wasn't holding real tight as the turbulence hit, the kid went airborne.

The problem w/ HA is that the captains tend to keep the seatbelt signs on for the majority of the flight so in my experience it's become the "boy that cries wolf."
I recently flew HA, NH, and DL to/from Tokyo and it was noticable that HA captains turn the seatbelt sign on after a little bump and keep it on for at least 30 min afterwards w/ no turbulence vs. DL and NH who were more judicious w/ turning it on.

At some point people need to get up and use the restroom or just stretch and if the seatbelt signs are on the majority of the time w/ no turbulence it's intended effect has been rendered useless.

Cubsrule wrote:

This isn’t, or shouldn’t be, news. The tropics can have nasty, unexpected turbulence. Wear your seatbelt. Not hard.

Vexing post, as this is one of the worst turbulence situations in commercial aviation in some time. Given that turbulence of even two or three injuries normally makes the news, I am curious as to why you think injuries to over 10% of the pax of a well known airline, in a "western" country no less, would not or should not make "the news"?

Enlighten us all...