Third Recent Case of Severe Turbulence Injures 2 on NZ Flight

Recurring severe turbulence events are likely to expediate research into spotting invisible turbulence, aviation professor says.

Powerful turbulence hit a plane travelling from Wellington to Queenstown on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

A passenger and crew member have been injured in the third case of severe flight turbulence in just over a month.

According to passenger accounts, Air New Zealand flight NZ607 hit turbulence just after take-off on Sunday afternoon.

It was reported one passenger was burned when a flight attendant who was serving drinks was injured in the event, causing hot liquid to spill on the traveller.

A paramedic who happened to be seated near the passenger helped provide assistance.

Turbulence resulted in the flight attendant being thrown to the floor of the plane.

It is the third recent case of passengers and crew being injured by strong turbulence while in the air.

Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan confirmed the customer and crew member were injured during the flight.

“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our number one priority, and our crew are trained to respond to these situations,” he told The Epoch Times.

“Our operating procedures outline our onboard response to different levels of turbulence, including detailing when passengers and crew are required to take their seats during the flight.

“From time to time, clear-air turbulence can occur where rough air is not visible to the flight crew.”

The event follows severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines jetliner last month, that resulted in numerous injuries and a 73-year-old British man dying from a suspected heart attack.

Not long after, 12 people were injured after a Qatar Airways flight encountered major turbulence on May 27.

At the time, aviation expert Keith Tonkin told The Epoch Times the two events were likely coincidental.

“It doesn’t have to be much of a bump,” he said.

‘Thermal Turbulence’ a Factor in NZ Flight Incident

In the case of the Air New Zealand flight, CQUniversity Aviation Professor Doug Drury told The Epoch Times a number of factors had likely added up to the incident.

The flight had also been in the process of a refreshment service, meaning the attendant was walking around without a seatbelt.

The plane was headed to Queenstown from Wellington when it encountered what is known as “thermal turbulence,” the process of fast-moving air coming into contact with mountains, going up rapidly.

“This is related to weather patterns, when you have the transition from seasonal warm to cold, the air is disturbed where the two fronts meet,” Mr. Drury said.

“This is known as thermal turbulence as it is related to the temperature changes.

Mr. Drury said fastened seatbelts were still the best way to avoid in injury in the air.

“The technology is advancing to provide flight crews and air traffic control with the ability to detect turbulence and events like we have seen recently will only urge the research and development on to a quicker pace,” he said.

“But as the term states it is called ‘clear air turbulence’ and is therefore unseen ... for now.”

Air New Zealand was contacted for comment.

According to the Australian Civil Aviation Authority (CASA), there are six categories of turbulence, ranging from mild bumps known as “light chop” through to “extreme turbulence” which is capable of violently tossing a plane around.