I can’t recall ever seeing so many incidents of commercial airplanes encountering severe turbulence that injured so many passengers than I have during this recent two-month span.Is it climate change? Are the airlines trying to save money on fuel by not going around storms? Is this how it’s always been but no one knew because passengers didn’t have access to social media or smartphones?
No matter the reason, it’s no doubt a scary as you’ll see in the latest video that’s been shared online, embedded below. A Fly Guy Network posted the uncredited video to their Instagram with the caption: “Passenger Stuck in the Ceiling After Plane Hit Severe Turbulence. A video has surfaced showing an Air Europa passenger being pulled out of the ceiling after the Boeing 787 hit severe turbulence. Flight UX045 was heading from Madrid, Spain, to Montevideo, Uruguay, when the captain advised passengers to fasten their seatbelts as they were approaching an area of rough air early Monday morning. Even with the pilot’s warning, at least 30 of the 325 on board were injured, with 10 suffering injuries that required immediate hospitalization after the flight made an emergency landing at 2:32 a.m. at Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport in Natal, Brazil. Video after the turbulence shows many ceiling panels impacted, likely by the force of bodies hitting the roof.”
View this post on Instagram
Social media users raise some questions and offer advice:
@Ray1918: How are all these severe turbulence events all of a sudden happening?
@el_jaxon: If you’re seated WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT and that doesn’t mean loosely! ??♀️ people just don’t get it
@sundancer80: I have zero sympathy for those that choose to ignore requests to fasten seatbelts…its selfish and causes innocent people to get hurt ?
Air Europa said in a translated statement on X, embedded below: “Our flight UX045 bound for Montevideo has been diverted to Natal airport (Brazil) due to strong turbulence. The plane has landed normally and the minor injuries that were reported are already being treated.”
Nuestro vuelo UX045 con destino a Montevideo se ha desviado al aeropuerto de Natal (Brasil) a causa de fuertes turbulencias. El avión ha aterrizado con normalidad y los heridos de diversa consideración que se registraron ya están siendo atendidos.
— Air Europa (@AirEuropa) July 1, 2024
It’s remarkable that no one was severely injured, especially the passenger that ended up stuck between the ceiling panels. This video is a solid reminder to always wear your seatbelt when seated and don’t get up when the seatbelt sign is on, especially if the captain makes an announcement for the flight attendants to stay seated because of turbulence ahead.
It’s shocking to me how often passengers disregard the captain’s message, especially in moderate or severe turbulence. They’re not only putting themselves in danger but worse, their fellow passengers because they could easily get tossed and land on them.
Six weeks ago, a passenger died and dozens were hospitalized after a Singapore Airlines flight from London encountered severe turbulence. A week later, a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin hit severe turbulence and dozens of passengers were hurt. Eight had to be taken to the hospital.
In December 2022, a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix hit severe turbulence without any warning. Three flight attendants were among the dozens who were injured and passengers ranged in age from 14 months old to adult.
KEEP READING:
–Pilot traveling as passenger in severe turbulence explains why it’s no big deal
–How do pilots identify and avoid areas of turbulence?
–12 passport tips that will save you time, money and headaches
–The most important thing I do when I travel internationally is …
–Rick Steves got pickpocketed in Paris: Here’s what he wants you to know
Want more travel news, tips and deals? Sign up to Johnny Jet’s free newsletter and check out these popular posts: The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without and 12 Ways to Save Money on Baggage Fees. Follow Johnny Jet on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for all of my travel posts.
