Lufthansa Flight Faces Severe Turbulence, Injures 11
Lufthansa Flight LH 402, traveling from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt, experienced brief but severe turbulence while crossing the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over the Atlantic Ocean. The incident resulted in minor injuries to five passengers and six crew members aboard the Boeing 747-8, registered D-ABYP.
The flight, which took off from Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) at 18:00 local time on November 11, encountered turbulence while flying through the ITCZ, an equatorial low-pressure area that often causes unpredictable air currents. Lufthansa confirmed that despite the intense turbulence, the aircraft remained stable throughout the incident, and the flight continued safely to its destination.
Upon landing at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) at 10:43 local time, medical teams were on hand to assist the injured, who were treated for minor injuries. A Lufthansa spokesperson reassured the public that the aircraft, carrying 329 passengers and 19 crew members, was not in any significant danger during the event. The airline stated that all passengers were safe, and there was no further disruption to the flight.
The ITCZ, known for its turbulent weather conditions, presents a common challenge for flights traveling through tropical regions. Lufthansa explained that these weather patterns involve air currents that can lead to sudden turbulence, but stressed that safety protocols and flight planning are designed to handle such challenges effectively.
In the wake of the incident, comparisons were drawn with other recent turbulence-related events. Earlier in 2024, an EVA Air flight sustained injuries to six crew members after encountering turbulence during a meal service, and a Singapore Airlines flight suffered severe turbulence, leading to one fatality and over 30 injuries.
Despite the turbulence, Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8, which had celebrated its 1500th aircraft milestone as the D-ABYP, continued to operate safely. The airline remains one of the last carriers to operate the Boeing 747, a model many other airlines have retired. Lufthansa currently has a fleet of 17 Boeing 747-8s and six 747-400s, continuing to rely on the aircraft for long-haul routes.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of air travel, where turbulence can occur unexpectedly, even in regions known for its turbulent weather. However, Lufthansa’s swift response and the aircraft’s ability to handle the conditions demonstrate the continued reliability of the Boeing 747-8 for international travel.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=Lufthansa