Air Europa Emergency Landing
40 People Injured After Air Europa Flight Experiences Heavy Turbulence
One particularly shocking video depicted a man dangling from an overhead bin
In a harrowing incident early Monday morning, an Air Europa flight from Madrid, Spain, to Montevideo, Uruguay, was forced to make an emergency landing in Brazil after encountering severe turbulence. The turbulence resulted in injuries to 40 passengers, some of whom sustained serious injuries, including neck and skull fractures.
The flight, designated UX045, was a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner carrying 325 passengers. The plane departed from Madrid-Barajas Airport late Sunday night and was scheduled to arrive at Carrasco International Airport in Montevideo. However, approximately four hours into the flight, the aircraft encountered intense turbulence over the Atlantic Ocean, near the Brazilian coastline.
The turbulence struck suddenly and violently, causing chaos within the cabin. Passengers were thrown from their seats, and some were propelled into the overhead compartments. Videos shared on social media showed the aftermath, with ceiling panels dislodged, exposing internal pipes and wires, and passengers lying injured in the aisles. One particularly shocking video depicted a man dangling from an overhead bin, though it remains unclear how he ended up there.
The severity of the situation prompted the flight crew to request an emergency landing at the nearest suitable airport. At 2:32 a.m. local time, the plane safely landed at Natal International Airport in São Gonçalo do Amarante, Brazil. Upon landing, the aircraft was met by a fleet of ambulances ready to transport the injured to nearby medical facilities.
According to the health department of Rio Grande do Norte state, 30 passengers received immediate medical care at the airport, while 10 others were transported to hospitals for further treatment. Reports indicated that the injuries ranged from minor abrasions and contusions to more severe traumas, including fractures and head injuries. Four passengers remained in intensive care as of Monday afternoon.
Air Europa issued a statement confirming the incident and expressing their concern for the affected passengers. "Due to the nature of the turbulence and for safety reasons, it was decided to divert the flight to Natal International Airport in Brazil," the airline said. They also mentioned that a replacement aircraft was dispatched from Madrid to transport the uninjured passengers to their final destination in Montevideo.
Passengers recounted their terrifying experiences during the turbulence. Mariela Jodal, a passenger on the flight, shared on social media that the turbulence was "very strong," but she was spared from injury "thanks to the seat belt." Another passenger described the sensation as a sudden and violent descent, rather than the typical shaking associated with turbulence.
The incident has raised concerns about the increasing frequency and severity of turbulence-related injuries. Experts have pointed to climate change as a contributing factor, with rising temperatures altering wind patterns at high altitudes, leading to more unpredictable and severe turbulence. A study from Reading University highlighted a 55% increase in severe turbulence cases on transatlantic flights between 1979 and 2020, attributed to these changes.
This event follows a series of recent turbulence-related incidents. In May, a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered extreme turbulence, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. Similarly, a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin experienced severe turbulence, causing injuries to 12 passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has noted that turbulence is the leading cause of in-flight injuries, accounting for more than a third of reported airline accidents from 2009 to 2018. Despite advancements in turbulence detection technology, clear air turbulence remains difficult to predict and can occur without warning.
In response to the incident, Air Europa has reiterated the importance of following safety protocols, such as keeping seat belts fastened when seated. The airline is also conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft to assess any potential damage caused by the turbulence.
As the affected passengers continue their recovery, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the critical importance of adhering to safety measures to mitigate the risks associated with turbulence.