A Qantas Boeing 737-800 at Sydney Airport.
Share this @internewscast.com
A Qantas plane landed with four passengers out of their seats while helping a cabin crew member who had broken their ankle in severe turbulence, putting them all at risk of injury.

But investigators found it was likely the captain didn’t know how bad it would be and didn’t tell the cabin crew.

A Qantas Boeing 737-800 at Sydney Airport.
A Qantas Boeing 737-800 at Sydney Airport. (SMH)

One cabin crew worker broke their ankle in the turbulence and couldn’t get up from the galley floor.

Two others suffered minor injuries.

Two cabin crew and two passengers – an off-duty cabin crew employee and a doctor – were helping the hurt worker in the rear galley as the plane landed.

In a report into what happened, the ATSB found that the captain did not inform the cabin crew about the expected turbulence during descent, likely due to not being aware of its severity.

The report said cabin crew were checking bathrooms and making sure passengers had seatbelts on when the severe turbulence happened, ATSB Director of Transport Safety Dr Stuart Godley said.

It’s standard for the customer service manager to tell crew if the cabin is not secured for landing, he said.

But when the manager told the captain about the injuries, and said some passengers were still standing, the captain didn’t recall receiving any requests for more time to prepare the cabin for landing, the report noted.

The captain twice directed all uninjured cabin crew and passengers to return to their seats.

But Godley said 80 per cent of serious turbulence-related injuries are suffered by cabin crew and the most common time for those is when preparing the cabin for landing.

”The unrestrained cabin crew and passengers were exposed to a higher risk of injury in a landing-based emergency, which in turn would have compromised the cabin crew’s ability to manage any such emergency situation,” Godley said.

“Differing understandings of the state of the cabin increases the risk of delayed responses or misaligned decision‑making, which may lead to safety being compromised,” he said.

The 737 was descending on a flight from Sydney to Brisbane on May 4 last year when the incident happened.

An ambulance crew met the worker with the broken ankle.

But the other two workers were not treated and one worked on more flights before realising they had a concussion.

The other was later treated for an injury to their face.

Qantas has now updated its protocols to include contact with the Qantas doctor in the event of significant cabin crew injury or illness, ATSB said.

It has also rolled out more controls to adequately assess the fitness of crew members after turbulence.

Qantas said in a statement: “Following an internal investigation, we promptly expanded our Group-wide medical escalation and post-incident medical assessment processes, ensuring all crew onboard a flight are assessed following an incident, regardless of visible impact.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Donald Trump blindsides seven more nations with tariff letters

Donald Trump Surprises Seven Additional Countries with Tariff Notices

US President Donald Trump sent out tariff letters to seven smaller US…

Donald Trump Imposes 50% Tariffs on Copper and Brazilian Imports

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has intensified his tariff…
Samsung Unveils Ultra-Thin Phone & New Watch Health Features

Samsung Introduces Sleek, Ultra-Thin Foldable Smartphone

New York: It’s been over six years since Samsung introduced its first…
Snow resorts in NSW have been hit with a massive snow dump as ski enthusiasts gear up to hit the slopes during the school holidays. Falls Creek

Huge Overnight Snowfall Transforms NSW Ski Resorts

Snow resorts in NSW have been hit with a massive snow dump…

“Dropped Charge Against Protester Hannah Thomas Sparks Concerns Over Police Fairness”

Civil liberties groups have criticised NSW Police’s attempt to invoke rarely used…
Small business owners react to RBA decision

Cafe and Pub Owners Face Challenges Following Interest Rate Change

According to data from Creditor Watch, 10% of hospitality businesses have shuttered…
Storm weather. Torrential rain

Do you trust the “feels like” temperature or the real one? Here’s the explanation

Between ‘bomb cyclones’ and polar blasts, many Aussies have been shivering through…
The Defence Minister has brushed off suggestions Australia's nuclear submarine deal is on shaky ground after concerns were raised in the United States.

Report Calls for Significant Revisions to AUKUS Agreement in the US

The Pentagon is reportedly considering adding extra costs and conditions to the…
The exhibition has been five years in the making, and Tate Modern is anticipating more than 200,000 visitors during its six-month run.

Famous Indigenous Artist’s Creations Featured at Prestigious London Gallery

A major solo exhibition showcasing the works of acclaimed Aboriginal Australian artist…
Police allege he then took 53 right-footed shoes only, not pairs, before putting them in his trolley and leaving the centre.

Detectives Puzzled by Man’s Theft of 53 Right-Foot Shoes from Store

A man allegedly stole 53 right shoes from a business in Queensland,…
'Deeply loved' Australian lawyer, father of two, dies in Thailand

Beloved Australian Lawyer and Father of Two Passes Away in Thailand

An Australian lawyer and father of two who passed away in Thailand…
3D rendering of influenza virus (bodym/iStock)

Queensland Experiencing Surge in Flu Cases Amid Expert Concerns of Potential Worsening

Influenza cases have surged throughout Queensland, leading to urgent health recommendations for…