Sudden Turbulence Turns Routine Flight into Nightmare
Passengers aboard a Juneyao Airlines flight from Shanghai Hongqiao to Shenzhen Bao’an experienced a horrifying ordeal when their plane was caught in unexpected severe clear-air turbulence. According to reports from Chinese media, the incident occurred last Wednesday evening, plunging passengers into a moment of sheer panic as the aircraft suddenly dropped for approximately three seconds. Items including food trays, mobile phones, and personal belongings were sent flying across the cabin.
Mr Dai, a passenger on the HO1887 flight, shared that the evening started like any other routine journey until the aircraft hit a rough patch of air. Initially, it was mild turbulence, but things escalated dramatically when the plane abruptly lost altitude. “Everyone could feel the drop. My backside even lifted off the seat,” he recounted. At the time, cabin crew were serving meals, and the abrupt fall resulted in passengers’ meals and devices being hurled into the air, with passengers screaming in terror.
Food, Phones Scattered; Crew Rushed to Reassure Passengers
As the chaos unfolded, terrified passengers likened the sensation to a sudden plunge on a theme park drop tower ride. Once the aircraft stabilised, the cabin was left in disarray, with food, blankets, and pillows scattered everywhere. The crew immediately checked for injuries and reassured passengers over the intercom that the turbulence had subsided.
A representative from Juneyao Airlines confirmed that no passengers were injured during the incident. They explained that the turbulence was caused by summer weather patterns producing sudden pockets of unstable air, known as clear-air turbulence, which are especially difficult to detect because they occur in cloudless skies.
Experts Explain Why Clear-Air Turbulence is Unpredictable
Veteran pilot Chen Jianguo explained to Chinese media that clear-air turbulence (CAT) occurs without visible weather cues, making it nearly impossible to anticipate or spot on weather radar. Unlike turbulence caused by storms or clouds, CAT doesn’t involve moisture, so onboard radar systems can’t detect the shifting air currents responsible for the violent jolts.
Aviation safety experts emphasise the importance of wearing seatbelts whenever seated, even when the “fasten seatbelt” sign is off, to prevent injuries during unexpected turbulence events. Juneyao Airlines reported that the flight safely landed at Shenzhen Bao’an Airport at 8:47 p.m. that evening, bringing a nerve-wracking journey to a relief-filled end.