Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 2 August 1987
Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-338
Owner/operator: Qantas
Registration Number: VH-EBT
Location: 30 km S of Guam – ÿ Guam
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Minor
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 349
Component Affected: Aircraft seatbelts.Aircraft seatbelts.
Investigating Agency: ATSBATSB
Category: Accident
An aircraft experienced turbulence near Guam due to a thunderstorm radar observation. The aircraft entered a severe turbulence area, resulting in accelerations of 1.8g to -0.4g, with no radar returns. The aircraft was flying in cirrus clouds with no lightning. The pilot initiated a diversion to Sydney after the turbulence, despite the aircraft appearing structurally and mechanically sound. The announcement prior to departure emphasized seatbelt fastening.An aircraft experienced turbulence near Guam due to a thunderstorm radar observation. The aircraft entered a severe turbulence area, resulting in accelerations of 1.8g to -0.4g, with no radar returns. The aircraft was flying in cirrus clouds with no lightning. The pilot initiated a diversion to Sydney after the turbulence, despite the aircraft appearing structurally and mechanically sound. The announcement prior to departure emphasized seatbelt fastening.

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.

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