Mid-Flight Turbulence Prompts Safety Concerns After Turkish Airlines Incident
A recent incident of mid-flight turbulence involving a Turkish Airlines Airbus A321 has raised concerns about passenger and crew safety. This latest episode occurred on a flight from Istanbul to Izmir, causing a serious injury to a flight attendant.
The news media reported that the turbulence struck shortly after the seatbelt sign was activated, but not in time for all crew members to secure themselves. The injured flight attendant, just two months into the job, was violently thrown against the ceiling and then slammed to the floor, resulting in a broken backbone.
The flight, identified as TK2320, underscores the vulnerability of cabin crew during such unexpected turbulence events. Turkish Airlines has yet to provide further details about the incident.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern. On May 21, a Singapore Airlines flight from London Heathrow to Singapore Changi encountered severe turbulence during breakfast service, injuring many passengers and crew members. The Boeing 777 had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok. Tragically, one passenger died, and several others were hospitalized in critical condition, prompting Singapore Airlines to revise its policy on serving hot drinks and meals when the seatbelt sign is on.
Just a few days later, on May 26, a Qatar Airways Boeing 787 from Doha to Dublin experienced severe turbulence over Turkish airspace, injuring 12 people, including six cabin crew members. Emergency services met the flight upon arrival in Dublin.
In another incident, a Turkish Airlines Airbus A319 flying from Istanbul to Iğdır had to divert to Erzurum Airport after being damaged by severe hail. This marked the third flight in 48 hours to encounter severe turbulence over Turkish airspace.
Turbulence is a common occurrence in commercial aviation, but severe cases leading to injuries are becoming more frequent. Experts suggest that climate change may be a contributing factor, with rising temperatures increasing the likelihood of such events. As aviation safety protocols evolve, the industry must address these growing concerns to protect passengers and crew from the dangers of severe turbulence.
