Dublin: Qatar Airways has confirmed that a flight from Doha to Dublin encountered severe turbulence, causing the aircraft to plummet 275 feet at a rate of 21,888 feet per minute. The incident resulted in injuries to 12 passengers, though none were life-threatening.
The Boeing Dreamliner B787-9, which departed Doha at 8:06 a.m., managed to land safely at Dublin Airport as scheduled. Qatar Airways has announced an investigation into the incident.
Upon landing, an emergency team was on standby at Dublin Airport. Twelve individuals were transferred to a hospital following initial checks. This incident follows a similar occurrence last Tuesday when a Singapore Airlines flight experienced turbulence, injuring over 100 passengers.
Incident Details
Flight QR017, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, encountered turbulence while flying over Turkey approximately two hours before landing. The turbulence affected six passengers and six crew members. Despite the incident, the flight landed safely at 1 p.m., and Dublin Airport operations continued without disruption.
Passengers described the turbulence as a terrifying experience, with some feeling as though the plane was falling out of the sky for 15 to 20 seconds. Paul Mock, a passenger, recounted seeing people “floating up to the ceiling,” with food and drinks scattered throughout the cabin. Several passengers required oxygen after the event.
Official Responses
Graeme McQueen, media relations manager at Dublin Airport, stated that all passengers received assistance upon landing. The airport’s police, fire, and rescue services were prepared for the emergency. Qatar Airways confirmed that an internal investigation is ongoing, with preliminary reports suggesting that bad weather over Turkey caused the turbulence.
These incidents have reignited discussions on the impact of climate change on turbulence. A study by the University of Reading last year suggested that climate change could exacerbate turbulence. Professor Paul Williams, a leading expert in the field, has been vocal about these findings.
Recent Similar Incidents
Earlier this week, a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore experienced severe turbulence, resulting in the death of a 73-year-old British passenger and injuries to 104 others. The flight, which fell from 37,000 feet to 6,000 feet within seconds, was diverted to Bangkok. This incident led to changes in seat belt regulations on airline flights.
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