AA 280 From ICN-DFW, Diverting NRT, Severe Turb

ozark1 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 5:58 pm

280 is either on the way or has landed in NRT. Severe turbulence with at least 15 injuries

ozark1 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 6:06 pm

Per the Dallas Morning News and Yahoo aviation website

ozark1 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 6:06 pm

At least 15 injuries

frostyj · Tue Dec 16, 2014 6:33 pm

Oh dear. Cannot imagine how bad it is.

AABB777 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 7:27 pm

I'm hearing they are 'minor' injuries.

jetblue1965 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 7:29 pm

all samsung employees ? =p

smokeybandit · Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:50 pm

Only 5 required hospitalization

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/16/travel...nn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29

N1120A · Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:53 pm

This is why I ALWAYS keep my seatbelt on when seated. Its insane not to - especially when crossing the Pacific.

jetblue1965 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:55 pm

Quoting N1120A (Reply 7):
This is why I ALWAYS keep my seatbelt on when seated. Its insane not to - especially when crossing the Pacific.

especially above japanese air space

i don't know what's so unique about japan geographically, but everytime between around Shigoku and about 30 mins flying time east of NRT, the plane always experiences very strong turbulence

Prost · Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:08 pm

At that point of the flight the meal service would be well under way, unless this turbulence was predicted and the service had been halted. Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the injured are flight attendants. I wish all who were injured a speedy recovery.

aacun · Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:51 pm

Hope all is ok. I have a friend working that flight.......... Havent gotten thru to her yet.

RogerMurdock · Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:58 pm

206 kt winds reported in the jet stream.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...n-airlines-flight-from-turbulence/

ozark1 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:51 pm

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2...-to-dallasfort-worth-airport.html/

SOBHI51 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:24 pm

From the Mailonline

American Airlines flight diverted and 15 passengers reported injured as plane hits severe turbulence over Pacific Ocean
Boeing 747-200 was flying from Seoul, South Korea to Dallas, Texas

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...e-Pacific-Ocean.html#ixzz3M6dNk0Da
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

AA 747-200 Really

KarelXWB · Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:25 pm

Wow, I hope nobody got injured!

http://twitter.com/airlivenet/status/544963178950430720

ozark1 · Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:42 pm

I think that is the flight attendant sitting on the floor to the left of the cart. We are taught to get down immediately, he/she didn't have time to strap in.

jetwet1 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:09 am

I was wondering if it was people hit by objects flying around the cabin, the picture above seems to indicate that could have been a possibility.

That is the thing that scares me with this trend (talking to you UA) of bring your own players and connect to the wifi.

In bad turbulence those then become projectiles, i've seen first hand digi players go flying when hitting turbulence over Iceland, not a lot of fun.

I hope everyone injured recovers quickly.

frostyj · Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:20 am

Quoting KarelXWB (Reply 14):

Wow!

ktachiya · Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:10 am

Quoting SOBHI51 (Reply 13):
reported injured as plane hits severe turbulence over Pacific Ocean
Boeing 747-200

Hmm........ Must have been a very old aircraft!!!

But seriously speaking, the jetstream stretches from Taiwan directly to Choshi (near NRT) and diverts towards the North American continent. I've experienced extremely nasty weather in that area as well.

gdg9 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:26 am

Quoting SOBHI51 (Reply 13):
Boeing 747-200

The very rare 747-223! In all seriousness, glad to hear no major injuries.

On a related topic, when did Fl. 280 switch numbers? Thought it started as 27/28?

hoons90 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:36 am

Quoting gdg9 (Reply 19):

On a related topic, when did Fl. 280 switch numbers? Thought it started as 27/28?

It was 27/26 until March 31st, 2014.

WesternDC6B · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:33 am

Quoting AABB777 (Reply 4):
I'm hearing they are 'minor' injuries.

So, just minors, no adults?!?

Being serious, I hope no one suffered broken bones or the like.

Five to the hospital? Gads... sorry to hear of it.

[Edited 2014-12-16 19:36:43]

kanban · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:39 am

Aviation Herald identifies it as a 777-200
Quote
An American Airlines Boeing 777-200, registration N751AN performing flight AA-280 from Seoul (South Korea) to Dallas Ft. Worth,TX (USA) with 240 passengers and 15 crew, was enroute at FL340 at around 13:00Z about 2 hours into the Pacific crossing northeast of Japan when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing injuries to 14 people on board. The crew decided to turn around and divert to Tokyo's Narita Airport (Japan), where the aircraft landed safely about 2.5 hours later. The injured were taken to hospitals.
un quote

AirKorea · Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:10 am

Boeing 777-200ER was served enroute for ICN-DFW.

Passengers were sent to hotel after arrival in Narita. They siad its was really horrible moment and they felt as if the plane crashed.

chepos · Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:18 am

One of the worst turbulences I have experienced was onboard a DL 330 enroute NRT SEA. We were about 1 hour 30 mins from SEA. Crew had to wait to hold off on the pre arrival service due to the bumps, yet some pax insisted on going to the bathroom during the bumps,

hoons90 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:28 am

Here's a video taken from the cabin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V21eV22fYxI

United1 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:23 am

Quoting hoons90 (Reply 25):
Here's a video taken from the cabin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V21eV22fYxI

Wow...that looks insane. I know that turbulence really isn't all that dangerous as long as you are buckled in but that's still a bit unnerving to watch....

FCAFLYBOY · Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:29 am

Quoting jetblue1965 (Reply 8):

To answer that, in addition to the very strong jet stream, at this time of year, the other major factor is topography. Japan is a very mountainous country with around 90% or so elevated far above sea level.

This in turn disrupts wind flow when factoring some of the high and often volcanic mountain ranges. That also in turn has a much more minor effect, however when releasing super-heated air and vapour that's all adds to the mix to help create very heavy, turbulent air up in the sky.

CRJ900 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:56 am

A lot of unsympathetic replies on that youtube video further up. Turbulence can be quite frightening when you are stuck in your seat with only a seatbelt over your lap. It is less scary as cabin crew as you feel more in control and you are strapped tightly in your harness belt on the jumpseat. But we often get injured by being thrown around in the galley when turbulence hits unexpectedly.

I have been tossed around a bit on several B772 flights. Is it because of the huge wingspan?

sccutler · Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:02 pm

All that bellerin' was not helpful. Glad I was not onboard.

We know that the aircraft can endure turbulence vastly beyond what most can imagine without damage, and can endure even more without failing, but it is hard for one stuck in the middle of the moment to know or act accordingly.

bristolflyer · Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:51 pm

Many of those comments are downright mean. The majority of people who get on a plane don't know anything about what it can handle and have probably never even imagined turbulence like that. They can't be blamed for thinking the worst. I have nothing but sympathy for those people crying/upset, I got emotional watching that video listening to them thinking that their lives were going to end.

D L X · Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:31 pm

Quoting bristolflyer (Reply 30):
Many of those comments are downright mean.

Well... it's the internet. Don't read the comments and you'll live a longer, happier life.

-Abraham Lincoln

Quoting hoons90 (Reply 25):

Here's a video taken from the cabin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V21eV22fYxI

Absolutely amazing! I'm glad I wasn't on that flight, but I have to wonder how I would have responded if I were. I'm pretty sure that if my wife were with me on that flight, it would be the last flight she'd willingly get on.

pasu129 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:04 pm

Quoting FCAFLYBOY (Reply 27):

Quoting jetblue1965 (Reply 8):

To answer that, in addition to the very strong jet stream, at this time of year, the other major factor is topography. Japan is a very mountainous country with around 90% or so elevated far above sea level.

This in turn disrupts wind flow when factoring some of the high and often volcanic mountain ranges. That also in turn has a much more minor effect, however when releasing super-heated air and vapour that's all adds to the mix to help create very heavy, turbulent air up in the sky.

Agreed. Due to Japan's mountainous terrain, during the winter months turbulence is especially severe around the region. I have returned from HKG to LAX last month and over Japan we were met with extreme turbulence, meal service stopped immediately and all FAs returned to seats. Turbulence didn't stop until we were over Siberia.

[Edited 2014-12-17 07:34:06]

FlyPIJets · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:15 pm

Serious question

What are the operating procedures when an event like this happens. (both cabin crew and flight crew)?

pasu129 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:21 pm

Quoting FlyPIJets (Reply 33):

Serious question

What are the operating procedures when an event like this happens. (both cabin crew and flight crew)?

I would think it is up to the Captain to decide, if there were injured passengers, I would think the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) would be similar to treating a medical emergency. Please correct if I'm inaccurate.

Similar to the CX flight SFO - HKG over the pacific about 10months back.

jetblue1965 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:23 pm

Quoting FCAFLYBOY (Reply 27):

To answer that, in addition to the very strong jet stream, at this time of year, the other major factor is topography. Japan is a very mountainous country with around 90% or so elevated far above sea level.

This in turn disrupts wind flow when factoring some of the high and often volcanic mountain ranges. That also in turn has a much more minor effect, however when releasing super-heated air and vapour that's all adds to the mix to help create very heavy, turbulent air up in the sky.

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 32):

Agreed. Due to Japan's mountainous terrain, during the winter months turbulence is especially severe during the region. I have returned from HKG to LAX last month and over Japan we were met with extreme turbulence, meal service stopped immediately and all FAs returned to seats. Turbulence didn't stop until we were over Siberia.

Thanks a lot for the clarification. Are these any other regions globally as severe as Japan ?

aerdingus · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:27 pm

As cabin crew turbulence doesn't scare me much. I've been lucky enough to be strapped for the worst turbulence I've had. But I did find the noise of stuff flying around and crashing around the cabin in that video scary. If a pax who has never flown before heard that it must be really scary. Hope nobody had serious injuries.

Luftfahrer · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:33 pm

Quoting CRJ900 (Reply 28):
A lot of unsympathetic replies on that youtube video further up.

It's just so easy to write these comments from a warm and cozy appartment while sitting in comfortable armchair, isn't it?

ozark1 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:37 pm

Quoting D L X (Reply 31):
Well... it's the internet. Don't read the comments and you'll live a longer, happier life.

Best advice yet. Just curious. I noticed that video was about 3:40. Should the captain have come on the PA after the first severe part? Just to reassure? I know they were busy descending and diverting, but maybe a quick "we've got the plane under control"? Your thoughts please. Thanks

pasu129 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:38 pm

Quoting Luftfahrer (Reply 37):

Agreed! Try enduring that for 1hr on a TranPac flight and see how scary it could be for inexperienced flyers!

Had to keep reminding people that modern planes are made to endure severe turbulence, but usually it's not the plane itself causing the injury, but objects got thrown around during turbulence. So strap down, put your seats up and tray table stowed. Personal items under seat in front of you. They don't make this drill up for no reason.

D L X · Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:56 pm

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 39):
So strap down, put your seats up and tray table stowed. Personal items under seat in front of you. They don't make this drill up for no reason.

I'm guessing this turbulence caught the crew by surprise, considering they had served food. Some news reports showed a person having been injured by a bowl of food breaking over her head!

UALWN · Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:37 pm

Quoting ozark1 (Reply 38):
Should the captain have come on the PA after the first severe part? Just to reassure?

Indeed I find that communication can be very reassuring. My worst turbulence experience (I'd say slightly worse than that in the video) occurred over the Alps flying JNB-MUC on a SA A342. The captain told us that we were going to have to go through a cumulonimbus and "flight attendant please take your seats." It only lasted a minute or two but it felt like 15. Extremely violent lateral and vertical movements, including sudden updrafts that I found very disconcerting. But we knew what was going on. Unfortunately, my daughter was in the bathroom when the seat belt went on, and I was very worried for her. It turned out she was already returning, and a FA told her to lay down on the floor covering her head. She was OK. After a couple of minutes, the captain apologized for the rough ride and reassured us it was all OK.

EVAAIRBR076 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:14 pm

I was wondering what will happen with the aircraft in general, will it go thru some test to see if it has cracks or other damages? And what about the interior, i expect it doenst get the usaul cleaning between flights because the (carpet etc is full with drinks and food). So with all this how long will it take to be operational again?

ThirtyEcho · Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:17 pm

This jetstream system is the kaze, the well known, terribly fast east to west flow that has made Japan an iffy proposition on both sea and air for a long time. It was known to hold B-29 formations motionless over the islands during WWII or send them racing downwind at 450mph, well in excess of bomb sight tolerances. Typhoons kicked up by the kaze destroyed a Mongol invasion fleet in ancient times, sending the whole 150,000 man Mongol army to the bottom.

In October of 1945, kaze winds spawned the worst typhoon in modern history. Had Japan not surrendered when it did, these typhoons would have hit the Allied invasion force while it was at sea.

frostyj · Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:24 pm

Why did that man have to say "I love my family".

Anyway looked scary

[Edited 2014-12-17 09:26:02]

frostyj · Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:27 pm

Quoting aerdingus (Reply 36):

Um really that makes no sense becasue I fly about 2/3 times a year so not much but I experience turbulence freuqently and I have yet to experience that. You could be a pretty frequent flyer and never experience anything near that.

CdnCactus · Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:49 pm

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 32):
Agreed. Due to Japan's mountainous terrain, during the winter months turbulence is especially severe around the region.

Last March when I flew YVR - TPE the flight path took us over Sea of Japan right between Korea & Japan. It was bumpy for a while (nowhere near as bad as this one). It's virtually the only bumpy portion of an otherwise smooth-as-glass 12 hour flight. Now that I think of it I've never flown over or near Japan without experiencing turbulence.

The worst jolt I've experienced was actually the descent into LAX on an unusually hot November day. It's the sense of total lack of control on passenger's part and the SCREAMING that got me a bit anxious, not anything else. Hope the injuries are indeed minor in this case.

bhill · Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:43 pm

Perhaps this question belongs in the Tech/Ops, but what is the design limit, in G's, that a modern airliner is built to not exceed? And is there any data out there of any CAT approaching this?

oc2dc · Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:47 pm

Quoting hoons90 (Reply 25):
Here's a video taken from the cabin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V21eV22fYxI

Seems like some hardcore turbulence, but the people screaming make it seem way worse.

I was on a VS flight LAX-LHR a few years ago. We were over Canada when we hit severe turbulence like this. Stuff was being tossed around the cabin. At one point a women, with a baby in her arms, rushed down the aisle to get back to her seat. The turbulence hit and she accidentally threw the baby across the air. Luckily a passenger caught the baby. The turbulence was certainly unnerving to me, but what made the experience 10x worse was all the hysteria in the cabin. People screaming, crying, praying.... It was ridiculous. If everybody remained calm it wouldn't have been as frightening.... It also would have helped if the captain or an attendant said something to calm everybody...

LAXdude1023 · Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:03 pm

I dont know why the Jet Stream is the way it is over that part of the world, but the hour before crossing over Japan and the first hour over the Pacific is almost always terrible. Ive never had a completely smooth ride over the Pacific, but its FAR worse in the winter time.

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