Two individuals on a British Airways flight sustained broken ankles due to turbulence while en route from Los Angeles to London Heathrow on December 6, 2024. The incident occurred 20 minutes after the seatbelt signs had been activated. An investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch revealed that the turbulence, lasting between 10 to 15 seconds, was perceived as light to moderate by the captain.
The passenger who was injured reported that the aircraft suddenly moved upward and sideways while he was returning to his seat from the restroom, resulting in a broken ankle. The cabin crew member sustained a similar injury while trying to secure herself with a seatbelt during the turbulence. Both injured individuals received medical attention from fellow crew members and two passengers who were doctors. Shortly after the turbulence, another passenger fell ill and lost consciousness.
The turbulence occurred above the Atlantic Ocean, south of Greenland. Although the possibility of diverting to airports in Canada or Iceland was considered, the captain decided to continue to Heathrow as the best option. Upon landing, ambulances met the aircraft to transport the three casualties to the hospital.
It is mandatory for passengers to wear seatbelts when the signs are illuminated. The captain activated the seatbelt signs after monitoring weather conditions on a live app on his tablet device, potentially preventing further injuries. A British Airways spokesperson emphasized safety as a priority, stating that their pilots and crew are trained to handle such rare events.
In a separate incident on a Singapore Airlines flight, Geoff Kitchen, 73, from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, tragically passed away after a suspected heart attack during severe turbulence on May 21, 2024. Seven others sustained serious injuries, and numerous passengers suffered minor injuries on the flight from Heathrow to Singapore. Witnesses described a dramatic drop in the Boeing 777 plane, causing unrestrained passengers to be forcefully propelled into the ceiling.
Images taken post-incident showed damage to the cabin ceiling and scattered debris on the floor.
