Severe turbulence on Air New Zealand flight: Crew member hits ceiling, passenger scalded by coffee

An Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Queenstown encountered severe turbulence, leading to injuries for a passenger and a crew member. The incident occurred on June 16, with the Airbus A320 experiencing turbulence approximately 15 minutes into the flight.

Turbulence Incident
The turbulence caused a passenger, identified as "Suze," to suffer burns when a full coffee pot fell on her. She described the initial impact as a "small jolt" followed by a "massive jolt," causing the trolley to shake and the coffee pot lids to dislodge.


Suze recounted her experience, saying, "There's nothing you can do. You're strapped in, you want to stay strapped in, there could be more turbulence and then you've got to deal with the level of burns you've just received."

The turbulence struck the passengers approximately 15 minutes into the flight, coinciding with the cabin crew's service. Air New Zealand released a statement acknowledging that a customer and a crew member were injured during the turbulence on the Wellington to Queenstown flight.

Captain David Morgan, the chief operational and safety officer, explained, "From time to time, clear-air turbulence can occur where rough air is not visible to the flight crew. We're always reviewing our operating procedures in line with both regulation and international best practice to ensure the safety of our customers and crew is prioritised."

Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT)
Clear-air turbulence (CAT) is a form of turbulence that manifests in clear skies without any visual indicators, such as clouds or thunderstorms. The injured passenger, identified only as Suze by RNZ, described the incident as initially a "small jolt" followed by a "massive jolt." The trolley shook in the aisle, causing the coffee pot lids to dislodge and spill hot coffee onto her.

"There's nothing you can do. You're strapped in, you want to stay strapped in, there could be more turbulence and then you've got to deal with the level of burns you've just received," Suze recounted. She characterised the situation as "pandemonium." Another passenger on the flight informed Crux, a Central Otago media outlet, that a crew member described the intense turbulence as the worst she had encountered in her career.

Crew Member Injuries
During the turbulence, a crew member collided with the cabin's ceiling. Another passenger on the flight described the turbulence as the worst she had experienced in her career.

Response and Safety Measures
Air New Zealand's Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer, Captain David Morgan, stated that the airline is reviewing its operating procedures to ensure passenger and crew safety. He explained, "From time to time, clear-air turbulence can occur where rough air is not visible to the flight crew."

Fortunately, a paramedic on the flight was able to assist Suze with her injuries. Both Suze and the crew member were taken to Lake District Hospital in a "moderate" condition for further treatment.

Following the incident, Suze expressed her concerns about the safety of serving hot drinks on short flights. She also called for improvements to the lids on coffee pots to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The incident highlights the dangers of clear-air turbulence, which can occur without warning and pose challenges for flight crews. Air New Zealand's response to the incident underscores the importance of reviewing and updating safety procedures to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew members.

(With inputs from TOI)