Singapore Airlines flight hit by clear air turbulence

The career faced the problem on its final approach to Mumbai on Saturday evening resulting in injuries to 22 people on board

Singapore Airlines has said its Airbus A380 aircraft encountered sudden clear air turbulence on its final approach to Mumbai on Saturday evening resulting in injuries to 22 persons on board the aircraft.

An aircraft can face turbulence due to thunderstorm clouds or a strong air current. The latter is also referred to as clear air turbulence and is not detected by weather radars.

"The aircraft was around 20 minutes away from landing and the seatbelt signs were turned on. The aircraft encountered sudden, clear air turbulence at about 15,000ft while the cabin crew were conducting final checks of the cabin before landing. The aircraft made a normal and safe landing. We are working closely with the concerned authorities to complete the investigation,'' Singapore Airlines said in a statement.

Though clear air turbulence is usually reported at higher altitudes it can occur around hilly terrain and aircraft flying from South East do fly over western ghats.

The A380 aircraft had 408 passengers and 25 crew. Eight passengers and fourteen crew members suffered minor injuries.

Pilots can take evasive action and divert from the assigned route to steer of thunderstorm clouds but weather radars do not detect clear air turbulence.

On Saturday evening weather conditions at Mumbai airport were normal. Few clouds at 2,000 feet, 2500 metre visibility and mild wind of 5 knots from South East direction, according to the weather report.

"When ever an aircraft encounters turbulence pilots will switch on seat belt signs and also alert the air traffic control. In case the turbulence results in injuries a pilot has to file a flight safety report and an investigation is carried out. While weather radars on ground and on board aircraft detect thunderstorm clouds pilots exercise their discretion whether to fly through them or divert from assigned route,'' an aviation source said.