BA flight suffers horror at 30,000ft as jet packed full of Brits is hit by ‘worst turbulence in years’ over sea
FIVE British Airways crew received horror injuries and passengers screamed in terror at 30,000ft in some of the most severe turbulence to hit a packed jet in years.
One of the in-flight team suffered a dislocated ankle and another concussion after being thrown around the cabin as the Boeing 777-300ER was buffeted in stormy skies following take-off from Singapore.
The horrendous injuries – with another stewardess needing an MRI on her hip after severe bruising – and flight conditions forced the London-bound aircraft to return to the Far East.
One crew member was still in hospital yesterday following surgery on their ankle and femur.
Panic broke out onboard BA12 more than four hours into the service in the early hours of Friday.
A source told The Sun: “The plane had passed over the Andaman Sea and was above the Bay of Bengal after leaving Singapore when severe and sustained turbulence struck. The airline has not experienced anything like this in the last five years.
“It’s an area where winds often make flying uncomfortable, but the severity of this turbulence was obscene.
“From no-where, the plane was shaking as it suddenly dropped five feet and rose again in uncomfortable jerked motions. There were screams from the passengers and great upset spread through the cabins.
“The ‘fasten seat belt’ signs were on but the heroic crew were carrying out essential duties when they were thrown around the cabin.
“Five crew were hurt, with three flyers suffering serious injuries. The captain had no option but to try and turn the plane around, and abort the scheduled service to Heathrow.
“Such was the severity of the conditions that the passengers were totally understanding. There was not a peep of protest. Everyone was just glad to make it.”
After a successful touchdown back in Singapore around 3am Friday, the plane was grounded while detailed examination began into any likely damage to the jet’s mainframe.
Stunned, emotional passengers were offered hotel accommodation and re-booked onto later flights, while the injured crew were receiving medical treatment in Singapore hospitals.
Last night one crew member was still on a hospital ward while their colleagues began returning to the UK as passengers on commercial services.
BA bosses have been looking after their shaken team – including flying an executive to Singapore to comfort the crew – and mobilised other staff to run replacement services.
BA’s B777-300ER long-range, twin-engine jets seat up to 297 passengers. The airline has 16 of the aircraft in its fleet.
The buffeted jet was finally given the okay to fly back to the UK empty today.
A British Airways spokesperson told The Sun: “Safety is always our priority and we’re looking after our crew after one of our flights experienced a rare episode of severe turbulence.
“Our highly trained team on board reassured customers and the aircraft returned to Singapore as a precaution.
“We’ve apologised to customers for the delay to their flight and provided them with hotel accommodation and information on their consumer rights.
“We’re re-booking customers onto the next available flights with us and other airlines.”