Pax og crew skadd av turbulens - Curt lewis

 

Accident: Spicejet B738 at Andal on May 1st 2022, turbulence injures passengers and cabin crew

A Spicejet Boeing 737-800, registration VT-SLH performing flight SG-945 from Mumbai to Andal (India), was descending through about FL160 towards Andal when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence causing injuries to 14 passengers and 3 cabin crew. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 16 about 15 minutes later. A number of occupants were taken to hospitals.

India's DGCA have opened an investigation into the occurrence.

Preliminary information suggests loose objects in the cabin caused head injuries to passengers. Several passenger mask compartments opened as result of the turbulence, parts of the cabin ceiling came down. None of the luggage lockers appear to have opened however.

ADS-B data suggest the aircraft was descending at about 3000 fpm through FL160 when the aircraft encountered sudden speed variations between 410 and 350 knots over ground associated with climb rates of up to 2000 fpm and descend rates of up to 3000 fpm.

The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Andal for about 7 hours, then positioned to Kolkata (India). The aircraft has not yet returned to service about 21 hours after landing in Andal.