AMMAN — Countless travelers have experienced the distinct
anxiety-inducing sensation of turbulence on flights. Eyes squeezed shut, hands
clamped to the armrests for dear life, bracing for the roller coaster to come.
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Recent incidents have left dozens of passengers with
injuries. Last month, seven passengers on a a Lufthansa flight from Texas to
Frankfurt, Germany, were hospitalized with minor injuries after their plane
encountered severe turbulence as it flew over Tennessee. And in December, about
two dozen people, including an infant, were hurt on a Hawaiian Airlines flight
from Phoenix to Honolulu that hit rough air shortly before landing.
The recent reports raise questions about whether turbulence
is getting more frequent and intense.
And here’s what a handful of experts said.
What is turbulence?Turbulence is unstable air movement that is caused by
changes in wind speed and direction, such as jet streams, thunderstorms, and
cold or warm weather fronts. It can range in severity, causing minor to
dramatic changes in altitude and air speed.
It’s not just associated with inclement weather, but can
also occur when skies appear placid. And it can be invisible both to the eye
and weather radar.
There is always the possibility of unexpected rough air,
There are four classifications for turbulence: light,
moderate, severe, and extreme. In cases of extreme turbulence, pilots can lose
control of the airplane, and there can even be structural damage to the
aircraft, according to the National Weather Service.
Is turbulence increasing? And if so, why?Recent research indicates that turbulence is rising and that
this change is sparked by climate change — specifically, elevated carbon
dioxide emissions affecting air currents.
Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the
University of Reading in England, has studied turbulence for more than a
decade.
Williams’ research has found that clear air turbulence,
which occurs most frequently at high altitudes, and in winter, could triple by
the end of the century. He said that this type of turbulence, of all
categories, is increasing around the world at all flight altitudes.
His research suggests that we could encounter bumpier
flights in the coming years, which could potentially result in more passenger
and crew injuries.
How is turbulence monitored and measured?Meteorologists rely on a variety of different algorithms,
satellites and radar systems to produce detailed aviation forecasts for
conditions such as cold air, wind speed, thunderstorms, and turbulence. They
flag where and when turbulence might happen.
Jennifer Stroozas, a meteorologist at the weather service’s
Aviation Weather Center, called turbulence “definitely one of the more
challenging things to predict.”
Using these forecasts, in addition to guidance from air
traffic controllers, pilots attempt to skirt turbulent areas by adjusting their
altitude to find the smoothest ride. This means flying higher or lower than the
altitude where forecasters predict turbulence and potentially burning more fuel
than initially anticipated, an endeavor that can be costly.
Robert Sumwalt, a former chair of the National
Transportation Safety Board who now heads a new aviation safety center at
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, stressed that it was impossible to
prevent or predict all turbulence.
“There is always the possibility of unexpected rough air,”
Sumwalt said. “Generally, it’s not going to hurt you and not going to pull the
wings off the airplane.”
What that means is that if you’re not seat-belted, by definition, you’ll become a projectile. You’re a catapult. You will lift up out of your seat,
Turbulence also presents a greater threat to small planes
that are more susceptible to changes in wind speed, rather than larger
commercial airliners, Stroozas of the weather service said.
Is it that dangerous? How can I stay safe during turbulence?Airplanes are designed to withstand rough conditions, and it
is rare for aircraft to incur structural damage because of turbulence.
But turbulence can toss passengers and crew members around,
potentially causing grave injuries. Multiple experts emphasized that staying
seated and keeping your seat belt on as much as possible during flights were
the best ways to reduce risks.
“If you stay fastened, you’re far less likely to incur an
injury,” said Thomas Guinn, a professor of applied aviation sciences at Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University.
In severe turbulence, the vertical motion of the plane will
exceed gravity’s pull, Williams said.
“What that means is that if you’re not seat-belted, by
definition, you’ll become a projectile. You’re a catapult. You will lift up out
of your seat,” he said.
Fatalities caused by turbulence, while exceedingly uncommon,
do happen. The last time a passenger on a commercial flight died from a
turbulence-related injury was in 1997, when a United Airlines flight from Tokyo
to Honolulu experienced severe turbulence over the Pacific Ocean, according to
an NTSB investigation.
This passenger was not wearing a seat belt and flew up from
her seat, possibly striking her head on the luggage bin, according to the
investigation.
Last month, a former White House aide aboard a business jet
traveling from New Hampshire to Virginia died from fatal injuries initially
attributed to severe turbulence. However, a preliminary NTSB investigation
found that the airplane’s pilots turned off a switch stabilizing the aircraft,
causing it to briefly oscillate in the air.
What about babies on laps?Children 2 years old and younger are allowed to be carried
on an adult’s lap during flights, but many industry experts, citing dangers
such as turbulence, believe this practice should be prohibited.
We are talking about events in the cabin that are potentially deadly but survivable when you do the right things to protect yourself,
Last month, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, a
union representing about 50,000 flight attendants across 19 airlines, renewed
its decades long push for every passenger to have their own seat, no matter
their age.
Sara Nelson, the union’s president, said in an interview
that with turbulence becoming “much more common” lately, the need for young
children to be properly secured in child safety seats during flights is a
greater priority.
“We are talking about events in the cabin that are
potentially deadly but survivable when you do the right things to protect
yourself,” Nelson said.
Unexpected turbulence is the leading cause of pediatric
injuries on airplanes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which
has detailed information about various child restraint systems and how to
correctly install them onto airplane seats. Some of these products are
compatible for both cars and airplanes.
For decades, the FAA and NTSB have urged parents to secure
young children in their own ticketed seats and in an approved safety seat. The
American Academy of Pediatrics also echoes this guidance. There is no federal
law requiring these measures.
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