Incident Overview
Date: Friday 27 October 2000
Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-412
Owner/operator: Ansett ANA
Registration Number: VH-ANA
Location: 796 km S of Guam –
ÿ Pacific Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Aircraft seat belt systemAircraft seat belt system
Category: Accident
A Boeing 747 aircraft encountered clear air turbulence while cruising at flight level 380. Weather forecasts indicated active thunderstorms within 110 NM of the flight path, but no indication of imminent turbulence was observed. The seat belt sign was not illuminated, and it was not required to be illuminated. Passengers experienced suspected ankle injuries during exit of a lavatory and waiting to enter a lavatory. No other injuries were reported.A Boeing 747 aircraft encountered clear air turbulence while cruising at flight level 380. Weather forecasts indicated active thunderstorms within 110 NM of the flight path, but no indication of imminent turbulence was observed. The seat belt sign was not illuminated, and it was not required to be illuminated. Passengers experienced suspected ankle injuries during exit of a lavatory and waiting to enter a lavatory. No other injuries were reported.
Description
The pilot in command of the Boeing 747 reported that while cruising at flight level 380 the aircraft encountered clear air turbulence. Although the weather forecast indicated active thunderstorms within 110 NM of the track being flown, turbulence was not forecast nor was there any indication, either visually or via the radar, that turbulence was imminent. The seat belt sign was not illuminated at the time, nor was it required to be illuminated. Cabin crew reported that a passenger sustained a suspected roken ankle while exiting a lavatory. Another passenger, who was waiting to enter a lavatory, sustained a suspected sprained ankle. There were no other reports of injuries.
Primary Cause
Clear air turbulenceClear air turbulenceShare on:
