KLM flight turbulence and free fall
05-31-2007, 11:23 AM
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KLM flight turbulence and free fall
From The Yomiuri Shimbun:
OSAKA, Japan — Ten people aboard a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines plane heading to Japan's Kansai Airport suffered injuries after the plane hit air turbulence at about 33,000 feet above St. Petersburg, Russia, early today. The Boeing 777-200 plane, carrying 276 passengers and crew members from Amsterdam, continued its flight after the 12:43 a.m. incident and made a safe landing about eight hours later at Kansai Airport in Osaka.
There was no damage to the airplane. Seven passengers in their 40s to 60s, including five women, and three Dutch crew members, suffered minor injuries.
According to passengers, the plane began pitching soon after an announcement was made instructing passengers to fasten their seat belts. After the announcement, the plane reportedly went into a free fall, causing some passengers to hit their heads on the ceiling.
The pitching lasted for about three minutes, scattering food and drinks that burned some passengers. A male doctor among the passengers reportedly attended to the injured.
Kiyoko Nishikawa, 62, of Shimamotocho, Japan, who suffered head injuries, was returning from a 10-day vacation.
"I felt the plane rolling and free falling," she said. "People screamed, and wine splashed on the ceiling. A flying cup and a plate fell on my head."
OSAKA, Japan — Ten people aboard a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines plane heading to Japan's Kansai Airport suffered injuries after the plane hit air turbulence at about 33,000 feet above St. Petersburg, Russia, early today. The Boeing 777-200 plane, carrying 276 passengers and crew members from Amsterdam, continued its flight after the 12:43 a.m. incident and made a safe landing about eight hours later at Kansai Airport in Osaka.
There was no damage to the airplane. Seven passengers in their 40s to 60s, including five women, and three Dutch crew members, suffered minor injuries.
According to passengers, the plane began pitching soon after an announcement was made instructing passengers to fasten their seat belts. After the announcement, the plane reportedly went into a free fall, causing some passengers to hit their heads on the ceiling.
The pitching lasted for about three minutes, scattering food and drinks that burned some passengers. A male doctor among the passengers reportedly attended to the injured.
Kiyoko Nishikawa, 62, of Shimamotocho, Japan, who suffered head injuries, was returning from a 10-day vacation.
"I felt the plane rolling and free falling," she said. "People screamed, and wine splashed on the ceiling. A flying cup and a plate fell on my head."
