The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its Final Report into an emergency involving a Hawaiian Airlines A330-200 which encountered severe inflight turbulence. The incident occurred whilst the flight was enroute to Honolulu, Hawaii on 18 December 2022.
During the inflight encounter, 4 occupants of the flight sustained serious injuries. A further 20 sustained minor injuries.
The NTSB report concluded that the prime cause was the decision by the flight crew to take a flight path above a known storm cell instead of altering course around it.
Flight Details
On December 18, 2022 Hawaiian Airlines flight 35, an Airbus A330-200, N393HA, was operating at FL400 about 65 nautical miles north-northeast of Kahului, Hawaii.
The flight was operating from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, Arizona, to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, Hawaii.
The captain stated that the airplane was in visual meteorological conditions at FL400 and was above a cloud layer between FL370 and FL380. The captain further stated that flight conditions were smooth with clear skies above the cloud layer and that the onboard weather radar displayed no returns.
Despite receiving weather advisories from air traffic control (ATC) about moderate to extreme turbulence in the area, the flight crew opted to continue on their planned flight path. This took them directly above the storm cell.
The NTSB’s investigation revealed that the Hawaiian Airlines crew’s decision to maintain course was a critical factor in the incident. While the aircraft’s weather radar did not detect the severe turbulence, visual cues from the sky, such as a rapidly developing, towering cloud, should have prompted the crew to take evasive action.
The Impact of the Turbulence
The sudden and intense turbulence caused significant disruption within the cabin. Passengers and crew members were thrown about the cabin, colliding with overhead bins and other hard surfaces. The force of the turbulence was so severe that it caused structural damage to the aircraft’s interior.
Passengers described feeling a “hard jolt” followed by a “free fall” sensation. Unsecured items, such as phones, jackets, and water bottles, began “floating” around the passengers. After about 3 seconds, “two hard hits” occurred. Flight attendants and passengers who were not restrained were thrown upward. They impacted the ceiling or baggage compartments above them, and then downward onto the floor.
The crew stated that the airplane “hit 40 degrees of bank” and that passengers had been injured. The crew requested medical assistance for those with injuries. It was estimated that the airplane would be arriving at HNL at 1045.
According to information that Hawaiian Airlines provided, about 25 occupants needed assistance. They were subsequently transported via ambulances, buses, and personal vehicles to local hospitals.
4 occupants (1 flight attendant and 3 passengers) sustained serious injuries. A further 20 occupants (3 flight attendants and 17 passengers) sustained minor injuries.
NTSB Findings
The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the incident was the flight crew’s decision to fly over an observed storm cell.
This course of action was taken instead of deviating around it. This was despite sufficient meteorological information indicating the potential for severe convective activity.
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