At least eleven people were injured due to turbulence experienced by a German airline Lufthansa flight connecting Buenos Aires with Frankfurt this Tuesday.
Unfortunately, in this incident, five passengers and six crew members suffered injuries, most of them minor, and received medical attention after the landing of flight LH511, according to the company.
Turbulence in Buenos Aires-Frankfurt flight
The Boeing 747-8 plane with 329 passengers and 19 crew members experienced brief, violent turbulence while flying over the Atlantic Ocean in an intratropical convergence zone, but the safety of passengers was never in danger, Lufthansa said.
“Lufthansa regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers and reminds us of the importance of wearing a seat belt, as it is mandatory for travelers to wear it while seated on Lufthansa flights,” the airline said.
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**Interview with Ian Müller, Aviation Safety Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Ian. We’ve just learned that a Lufthansa flight from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt experienced significant turbulence, resulting in injuries to eleven people. What can you tell us about the circumstances that led to this event?
**Ian Müller:** Thank you for having me. The turbulence that occurred on LH511 is attributed to conditions typical of an intratropical convergence zone, where trade winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet, creating unstable atmospheric conditions. This can lead to sudden and severe turbulence, even in otherwise clear skies.
**Editor:** It’s reported that most injuries were minor, but how can turbulence affect passengers and crew on board?
**Ian Müller:** Turbulence can jolt passengers and crew unexpectedly. Even if the overall safety of the flight is maintained, sudden movements can lead to falls or injuries, especially if people aren’t buckled in. In this case, it’s fortunate that injuries were not more severe, but it’s a stark reminder of the importance of following safety protocols, like keeping seatbelts fastened during flights.
**Editor:** Lufthansa emphasized the importance of wearing seatbelts. How effective is this measure in preventing injuries during turbulence?
**Ian Müller:** Wearing a seatbelt is critical. It’s the simplest and most effective way to mitigate injury risk during turbulence. Many injuries occur when passengers are not secured in their seats. Even minor turbulence can lead to significant jolts, so the seatbelt is your best line of defense.
**Editor:** What should passengers take away from this incident, especially regarding flight safety?
**Ian Müller:** The main takeaway is to always wear your seatbelt when seated, regardless of how calm the flight seems. Additionally, it’s important for passengers to stay aware of safety announcements and instructions given by the flight crew. This incident serves as a reminder that turbulence is unpredictable and can happen at any time.
**Editor:** Thank you, Ian, for your insights on this unfortunate incident. We hope for a speedy recovery for those injured and appreciate your expertise.
**Ian Müller:** Thank you for having me. Safe travels to everyone!
