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Can turbulence bring down a plane?


Turbulence is an unavoidable part of air travel that can range from minor bumps to jolts strong enough to throw unbuckled passengers out of their seats. For nervous flyers, turbulence can be a terrifying experience that makes them wonder if it’s possible for their plane to be brought down by gusts of wind and air pockets. While scary, turbulence very rarely causes planes to crash. Modern commercial jets are engineered to withstand severe turbulence thanks to design features that provide stability, redundant safety systems, pilot training protocols, and strict weather monitoring and routing procedures. However, turbulence has resulted in injuries, so it’s important to always wear a seatbelt when seated. Overall, turbulence should not make travelers fear their plane will fall out of the sky, but it does demonstrate the immense power of nature.

What causes turbulence?

Turbulence occurs when bodies of air moving at different speeds meet and create eddies, currents, and whorls. There are several types of turbulence in aviation:

Thermal turbulence

Caused by the sun unequally heating the Earth’s surface, which warms pockets of air that rise rapidly through cooler air above. The boundary between the warm rising air and cooler air causes ripples and turbulence.

Mechanical turbulence

Caused by air moving over uneven terrain like mountains, hills, buildings, or trees. As wind hits these obstructions, eddies form downwind of the objects.

Clear air turbulence

Caused by sudden shifts in wind direction that create swirling gusts in otherwise clear skies without visible clouds. Often occurs at higher altitudes associated with the jet stream.

Wake turbulence

Caused by airplanes themselves. As a plane moves through the air, its wings generate wake vortices or whirlwinds trailing behind the wingtips. A plane crossing through another airplane’s wake turbulence can experience violent shakes. This is why air traffic control enforces minimum separation distances between aircraft.

How do planes withstand turbulence?

While turbulence can’t be eliminated due to the nature of weather, modern commercial jets are engineered to handle even severe bumps and jolts that occur in extreme conditions. Here are some of the key design elements that allow planes to survive treacherous turbulence:

Streamlined shape

The aerodynamic, swept-wing shape of modern jets allows them to smoothly cut through the air with minimal drag. This reduces the impacts of turbulence and gives the planes stability.

Inertia

A plane in flight has forward momentum and inertia that acts against the external forces of turbulence and keeps the plane steady on its path. The more massive the plane, the greater its inertia.

Control surfaces

Moveable control surfaces on the wings and tail, such as flaps and rudders, allow pilots to adjust the plane’s attitude in response to turbulence. This gives pilots more control and stability during gusts.

Auto-pilot systems

Modern autopilot systems can react faster than human pilots and instantly adjust control surfaces to counteract turbulence hundreds of times per second. This keeps the plane very stable.

Wind shear detection

Forward-looking wind shear detector radar alerts pilots to dangerous microbursts, gust fronts, and wind shear conditions so they can avoid turbulence before encountering it.

Tough materials

Aircraft bodies are engineered using ultra-strong, flexible aluminum alloys that can bend and twist during turbulence without failing. Components are also rigorously tested for fatigue and sonic stresses.

Redundant systems

Commercial jets have duplicate or even triplicate redundant critical systems, so if one fails there are backups. This includes duplicate hydraulics, electrical power sources, flight computers, and structural components.

Effective maintenence

Comprehensive maintenance, inspections, part replacements, and overhaul schedules keep planes in optimal shape to handle routine turbulence without weakness developing.

How do pilots avoid turbulence?

While it’s impossible to eliminate all turbulence, pilots actively take measures to avoid areas where they know gusty conditions are likely to occur:

Pre-flight weather briefings

Pilots thoroughly analyze weather reports, forecasts, and radar maps before takeoff to identify regions of known turbulence like thunderstorms, icing conditions, or mountain wave turbulence.

In-flight weather radar

Onboard Doppler radar systems detect storm clouds, precipitation, and wind shear ahead of the aircraft so pilots can proactively steer around turbulent hot spots.

Pilot reports

Pilots relay real-time turbulence reports to air traffic control and other aircraft in the vicinity so they all can avoid recently encountered rough air.

Route adjustments

If turbulence is encountered en route, pilots will ask air traffic control for clearance to deviate from the flight plan and chart a smoother course around the bumpy skies.

Altitude changes

Climbing to a higher altitude is a common tactic for finding smoother air above turbulence. However, clear air turbulence can still occur at high cruising altitudes.

How do pilots handle turbulence when encountered?

Despite actively avoiding areas of known turbulence, it’s inevitable that flights will encounter unexpected patches of rough air. When this happens, pilots employ a variety of strategies to safely guide the plane through turbulence:

Slowing down

Reducing airspeed provides a wider margin of safety should the plane be jolted unexpectedly. It also minimizes the violence of any abrupt pitching, rolling, or yawing motions.

Engaging autopilot

The plane’s autopilot can react faster than human pilots to make precise split-second corrections and keep the wings level during buffeting.

Turning on fasten seatbelts sign

Illuminating this sign ensures passengers are buckled in securely so they aren’t tossed about the cabin if jolted. Flight attendants will also be seated.

Communicating with passengers

The pilot will get on the PA system to reassure passengers that the flight is under control and the turbulence is normal. This prevents panic.

Declaring an emergency

In an extreme situation with severe turbulence and injuries, the pilot can declare an emergency to get priority handling by air traffic control into the nearest diversion airport.

Diverting the flight

If the turbulence is severe, the pilots may opt to divert to a different airport to get passengers on the ground faster for their safety rather than continuing through a long stretch of rough air.

Has turbulence ever brought down a plane?

While turbulent conditions can damage aircraft and have caused some fatal accidents over many decades of aviation, the instances of turbulence alone bringing down an airliner are very rare events. In most accidents attributed at least partly to turbulence, there were other factors at play that led to the crash.

Some of the accidents where turbulence is considered a significant factor:

BOAC Flight 911 – 1966

A Boeing 707 broke up in midair after encountering extreme clear air turbulence near Mt. Fuji in Japan. However, an investigation concluded that metal fatigue from an improperly repaired tail strike years earlier caused the crash. Two crew survived out of 124 onboard.

United Airlines Flight 826 – 1997

A Boeing 747 en route to Japan from Honolulu experienced unexpected severe turbulence that injured 15 passengers and crew. The jolts were strong enough to rip off one of the doors leading to the main deck. The plane made an emergency landing in Anchorage, Alaska.

American Airlines Flight 587 – 2001

An Airbus A300 departing JFK Airport encountered wake turbulence from a preceding 747. Improper control inputs from the co-pilot led to overstressing the vertical stabilizer which separated from the plane causing it to crash. All 260 onboard were killed.

Qantas Flight 72 – 2008

A sudden loss of altitude from an instrument failure led the A330 jet to abruptly climb then dive, seriously injuring 110 of the 315 passengers and crew. The violent maneuvers exceeded design limits causing fuselage damage. The plane managed to land safely in Western Australia.

Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 – 2009

This Boeing 737 crashed on approach to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, killing 9 onboard and injuring 120. Heavy winds and turbulence from a thunderstorm caused the plane to touchdown 1440 feet before the runway threshold.

Accident Cause of Crash Role of Turbulence
BOAC Flight 911 Metal fatigue from past tail strike Severe CAT exceeded weakened airframe’s limits
United Flight 826 Not a crash. Emergency landing. Unexpected severe turbulence injured passengers.
American 587 Pilot overcorrected to wake turbulence Wake turbulence encounter started accident chain.
Qantas 72 Not a crash. Instrument failure then overstress. Turbulent flight exceeded airframe design limits.
Turkish 1951 Landed short of runway in thunderstorm. High winds and turbulence were factors.

As shown in the table, while turbulence played a role and directly caused injuries in some cases, there were always additional reasons that an accident was not solely attributable to turbulence alone. Modern engineering and precautions have made it extremely rare for gusts of wind or rough air to directly cause airliners to crash when no other issues are present.

Turbulence precautions for passengers

While turbulence poses minimal risk to bringing down an airliner, it can injure passengers who are not seated with seatbelts fastened when the plane encounters rough air. Follow these tips for a safer, smoother flight:

Keep your seatbelt fastened

Any time you are seated, whether the sign is illuminated or not, keep your seatbelt tightly buckled. Sudden turbulence can catch passengers off guard. Don’t leave it loose either.

Stay seated if possible

Try to reduce your movement around the cabin when the seatbelt sign is on. Walking down the aisle is the most dangerous place to be during hits of turbulence. Wait until the sign is off.

Keep items stowed

Secure any loose items like phones, books, bags and coats so they don’t fly around the cabin during shakes potentially injuring someone.

Listen to crew instructions

Pay attention to any PA announcements or instructions from flight attendants regarding turbulence precautions.

Report injuries right away

If you are injured by turbulence, notify the flight crew immediately so they can provide assistance and document the incident. Seek medical care after landing.

Avoid alcohol

Consuming excessive alcohol can make injuries worse if turbulence is encountered due to slower reaction times and disorientation. Drink moderately.

Be extra cautious when moving around

Take extreme care if walking through the cabin if light chop is present. Hold onto seatbacks and touch as little floor area as possible.

Conclusion

In summary, turbulence can certainly be a nerve-racking experience for airline passengers but modern commercial jets are extremely resilient to all but the most severe turbulence. While uncomfortable, light to moderate turbulence poses little threat to the structural integrity of the aircraft and will not bring planes down. Pilots actively avoid turbulence using weather technology. They’re also highly skilled at handling the plane should rough conditions be encountered unexpectedly.

Severe turbulence has directly caused very few crashes throughout many decades of air travel. When accidents do occur, other factors are almost always involved. By heeding pilot instructions, always wearing seatbelts, and securing loose items, passengers have minimal risk of injury due to turbulence on modern airliners. While occasionally scary, turbulence itself should not cause worry that the plane will crash.