Dublin – In a disconcerting turn of events, a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin encountered severe turbulence on Sunday, resulting in injuries to twelve individuals onboard. This incident follows closely on the heels of a similar episode involving a Singapore Airlines flight last week.
The Qatar Airways flight QR017, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was en route to Ireland when it encountered turbulence while flying over Turkey. According to Dublin Airport officials, the turbulence struck during the food service, lasting less than 20 seconds, but causing injuries to six passengers and six crew members.
Despite the mid-air chaos, the flight landed safely at Dublin Airport at 1 PM, as scheduled. Upon landing, emergency services, including airport police and the fire and rescue department, met the aircraft. These services promptly attended to the injured passengers and crew.
In a statement, Qatar Airways described the injuries as minor, confirming that affected individuals were receiving appropriate medical attention. The airline refrained from providing specific details about the turbulence but assured that an internal investigation is underway.
An eyewitness account from Irish broadcaster RTE highlighted the suddenness and brevity of the turbulence, emphasizing the incident’s alarming impact despite its short duration.
This occurrence underscores the persistent threat turbulence poses to air travel. A 2021 study by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified turbulence as the most common cause of airline accidents. Between 2009 and 2018, turbulence accounted for over a third of reported airline accidents in the US, often resulting in serious injuries, though rarely causing aircraft damage.
As aviation safety authorities continue to scrutinize these incidents, airlines and passengers alike are reminded of the unpredictable nature of turbulence and the importance of adhering to safety protocols during flights.