Airbus A330-243 – G-MLJL

Incident Overview

Date: Friday 2 August 2019

Aircraft Type: Airbus A330-243

Owner/operator: Thomas Cook Airlines

Registration Number: G-MLJL

Location: near SUMRS waypoint – ÿ Atlantic Ocean

Phase of Flight: En route

Status: Minor

Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 331

Component Affected: Weather Radar System (Specifically, System 2 to System 1 transition)Weather Radar System (Specifically, System 2 to System 1 transition)

Investigating Agency: AAIBAAIB

Category: Accident

A British Airways Airbus A330-200, MT2915, experienced severe turbulence while en route from Varadero to Manchester. The flight crew immediately adjusted to the turbulence, which was exacerbated by radar displays showing significant cloud cover. The commander initiated a change to System 2 weather radar, which seemed to resolve the issue. The aircraft entered a dense cloud area, leading to increased turbulence, culminating in a significant altitude loss and autopilot disconnection. The turbulence persisted for approximately 90 seconds, accompanied by hail and a loud sound of cracking. After the turbulence subsided, the autopilot was reconnected, and the aircraft returned to its cruising level. Light to moderate turbulence continued for one hour, during which System 2 radar failed. The crew member sustained injuries to their left ankle due to the turbulence, which occurred while the commander was instructing the crew to take their seats. The crew member attempted to secure a catering cart, resulting in it becoming trapped, and the foot and ankle became trapped beneath it. Medlink assessed the situation and determined that the commander should continue the flight to Manchester, where the injured individual received medical treatment for a broken ankle. Post-flight inspection revealed minor surface damage to the aircraft’s radome.A British Airways Airbus A330-200, MT2915, experienced severe turbulence while en route from Varadero to Manchester. The flight crew immediately adjusted to the turbulence, which was exacerbated by radar displays showing significant cloud cover. The commander initiated a change to System 2 weather radar, which seemed to resolve the issue. The aircraft entered a dense cloud area, leading to increased turbulence, culminating in a significant altitude loss and autopilot disconnection. The turbulence persisted for approximately 90 seconds, accompanied by hail and a loud sound of cracking. After the turbulence subsided, the autopilot was reconnected, and the aircraft returned to its cruising level. Light to moderate turbulence continued for one hour, during which System 2 radar failed. The crew member sustained injuries to their left ankle due to the turbulence, which occurred while the commander was instructing the crew to take their seats. The crew member attempted to secure a catering cart, resulting in it becoming trapped, and the foot and ankle became trapped beneath it. Medlink assessed the situation and determined that the commander should continue the flight to Manchester, where the injured individual received medical treatment for a broken ankle. Post-flight inspection revealed minor surface damage to the aircraft’s radome.

Description

Thomas Cook flight MT2915, an Airbus A330-200, encountered severe turbulence while en route from Varadero to Manchester. One crew member sustained serious injuries. During the climb from Varadeo the flight crew could see that several significant thunder clouds in their vicinity were not painting on the aircraft?s weather radar displays. Changing the weather radar selection from System 1 (WRS1) to System 2 (WRS2) appeared to solve the problem. Approaching SUMRS waypoint the aircraft was in cloud cruising at FL370 and avoiding weather radar returns. The seat belt signs had been selected ?on? five minutes earlier as a precaution during light turbulence. The aircraft was 30 nm clear of the closest weather painting on its radar when it entered a denser area of cloud and the turbulence increased. The commander made a PA for the cabin crew to immediately take their seats. Less than 5 seconds later the aircraft encountered severe turbulence resulting in a 500 ft altitude gain and autopilot disconnection. The severe turbulence encounter lasted for approximately 90 seconds and was accompanied by the sound of hail striking the aircraft?s nose. After the turbulence subsided the autopilot was reconnected and the aircraft returned to its assigned cruising level. Light to moderate turbulence was experienced for the following hour, during which time WRS2 failed. The degraded WRS1 was used for the remainder of the flight. The severe turbulence encounter resulted in one cabin crew member receiving injuries to their left ankle. The individual had been in the aft galley when the commander gave the instruction for the crew to take their seats. Unable to immediately stow their catering cart, the crew member applied the cart?s brakes and attempted to wedge it in a safe place. While securing the cart the crew member?s foot and ankle became trapped beneath it. Their foot remained wedged until the turbulence subsided sufficiently to allow other crew members to help free them. After consulting with Medlink, the commander decided to continue the flight to Manchester where the injured party received hospital treatment for a broken ankle. It later emerged that one other cabin crew member had suffered bruising to their back and shoulders that had not been apparent at the time. Post-flight checks revealed minor surface damage to the aircraft?s radome.