Incident Overview

Description
En route, isolated thunderstorm activity was observed on the weather radar. A continuous radar watch was maintained, and the aircraft made a number of diversions from the planned track. About 30 km south of Guam the aircraft entered an area of severe turbulence for about 30 sec with accelerations of plus 1.8 g to minus 0.4 g. there were no radar returns. The aircraft was flying in cirrus cloud, and no lightning had been observed. Most of the injured pax had been asleep, with their seatbelts unfastened. An announcement had been made in English and Japanese after departure, that pax should have their seatbelts fastened when seated. The seat belt signs were switched on at the onset of the turbulence. As the injuries did not warrant a diversion, and the aircraft was apparently structurally and mechanically unaffected, the pilot elected to proceed to Sydney.
Primary Cause
Thunderstorm activity and turbulence.Thunderstorm activity and turbulence.Share on: