An Air Europa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying 325 passengers, encountered severe turbulence during its flight from Madrid to Montevideo, resulting in an emergency landing in Natal, northeastern Brazil. The turbulence left 30 passengers injured, some with serious injuries such as cranial fractures and facial cuts.
Air Europa Turbulence- Incident Details
- Flight Information: Flight UX045 from Madrid to Montevideo
- Airline: Air Europa
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Location of Incident: Over the Atlantic Ocean, near the Brazilian coast
- Date: Monday
- Emergency Landing: Natal Airport, Brazil
Passenger Experiences
Passengers described the turbulence as sudden and severe, causing the plane to drop 400 meters at a speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour. Many passengers who were not wearing seat belts were thrown from their seats, hitting the ceiling and resulting in injuries.
- Evangelina Saravia: Reported 20 minutes of mild turbulence followed by a sudden drop.
- Daniel Montañez: Mentioned that passengers who did not have their seat belts fastened suffered injuries.
- Stevan: Recounted the chaos and fear during the incident, with passengers suffering from fractures and injuries.
Medical Response
Upon landing, the plane was met by ambulances. Medical teams attended to at least 30 injured passengers, 10 of whom were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Airline and Airport Response
- Air Europa: Confirmed the incident and stated that injured passengers were receiving medical attention. They dispatched another plane from Madrid to continue the journey for stranded passengers.
- Natal Airport Officials: Provided medical assistance and facilitated the transport of injured passengers to hospitals.
Safety and Industry Concerns
This incident comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Boeing’s safety practices. Although there is no evidence linking this turbulence incident to a safety malfunction, Boeing has faced multiple allegations regarding the safety and quality of their aircraft manufacturing processes.
Recent Related Incidents
This turbulence incident is similar to a recent event where a Singapore Airlines flight experienced severe turbulence over Myanmar, resulting in injuries and the death of a British passenger. Studies suggest that climate change may be increasing the frequency and severity of such turbulence.
Conclusion
The emergency landing in Brazil following severe turbulence highlights the importance of adhering to safety protocols, such as keeping seat belts fastened during flights. The prompt response by Air Europa and local medical teams ensured that injured passengers received necessary care. The airline has expressed regret over the incident and is taking steps to support affected passengers.
