Date: 25th September 2023
Location: Over the Caribbean Sea, near Jamaica
Aircraft: Airbus A320-200, registration N569JB
Operator: JetBlue Airways
Flight Number: B6-1256
Route: Guayaquil, Ecuador, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA)
Occupants: Unknown
Injuries: 7 passengers and 1 crew member (all non-life-threatening)
Damage: None reported
Summary of Events
On 25th September 2023, JetBlue flight B6-1256 from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, encountered sudden severe turbulence while cruising at FL340 near Jamaica. The turbulence caused the aircraft to experience altitude deviations of approximately -50 to +800 feet, injuring eight occupants onboard. The aircraft continued its flight and landed safely in Fort Lauderdale approximately 55 minutes later.
Following the event, seven passengers and one crew member were taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Sequence of Events
1. Enroute Flight Conditions:
• The Airbus A320 was cruising at FL340 when it encountered unexpected convective turbulence.
• Weather radar on the aircraft did not depict any adverse weather in the immediate vicinity.
2. Turbulence Encounter:
• The aircraft experienced sudden, intense turbulence, resulting in significant altitude deviations.
• Unsecured passengers and crew were thrown against the cabin interior, leading to injuries.
3. Continued Flight:
• The flight crew stabilized the aircraft and assessed the situation.
• The decision was made to continue to Fort Lauderdale, where the aircraft landed safely without further incident.
4. Emergency Response Post-Landing:
• Emergency medical services attended to injured passengers and crew.
• Those requiring additional care were transported to a local hospital.
Initial Findings
Probable Cause:
The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident was an inadvertent encounter with convectively induced turbulence during cruise that was not depicted by the aircraft’s weather radar system.
Contributing Factors:
• Lack of visual or radar detection of convective activity in the area of flight.
• Sudden atmospheric instability not forecasted or observed in advance.
Safety Risks
1. Passenger and Crew Injuries:
• Turbulence injuries primarily affect those not seated or properly restrained.
2. Operational Impact:
• Sudden turbulence poses risks to aircraft control, cabin safety, and operational schedules.
3. Unpredictability of Convective Weather:
• Convective turbulence often occurs without visible warning signs, challenging flight crews’ ability to avoid it.
Recommendations
1. Enhanced Weather Awareness:
• Equip aircraft with more advanced weather radar systems capable of detecting convective turbulence.
2. Passenger Safety Briefings:
• Emphasize the importance of keeping seatbelts fastened throughout the flight, even when the seatbelt sign is off.
3. Crew Training:
• Conduct regular training on managing sudden turbulence and effective communication with passengers during such events.
4. Meteorological Coordination:
• Strengthen collaboration between airlines and meteorological services to improve real-time weather updates.
Safety Lessons
This incident underscores the unpredictability of convective turbulence and the importance of proactive safety measures. While technological advancements in weather detection continue to improve, adherence to safety protocols such as seatbelt usage remains critical in minimizing injuries during unexpected turbulence.
Disclaimer
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Our investigation reports are based on all the evidence and facts we have at the time of writing and posting. We apologise if any details are missed or are not fully accurate.
