Turbulence and passenger injury

Turbulence is unpredictable movement of the aircraft caused by changes in the surrounding air, and can range from a light wobble to sudden, forceful jolts. Unsecured people and objects are at the greatest risk of injury during unexpected turbulence.

Scenario: moderate-to-severe turbulence strikes unexpectedly, and a passenger who was not wearing their seatbelt is thrown against a seat or the cabin ceiling, sustaining an injury.

Crew safety comes first in genuine terms: if crew are standing when severe turbulence hits, their training emphasizes securing themselves (sitting down, holding on, or getting low) since an injured crew member cannot help passengers.

Securing the cabin — reminding passengers to fasten seatbelts whenever the seatbelt sign is on, and during any announcement of expected turbulence — is the most effective prevention, which is why crew repeat this message often.

After turbulence passes, crew assess any injuries using the same recognize-assess-alert pattern as other medical events: checking responsiveness, looking for visible injury, asking about pain, and reporting to the flight deck and senior crew.

Post-event procedures typically include checking the whole cabin for injuries or damage (not just the person who called for help), securing loose items, and documenting the event for the airline's safety reporting process.