A flight encountered severe clear air turbulence (CAT), causing injuries to a passenger and a crew member.
The Air China Airbus A330-300, carrying 153 passengers and 12 crew members, was en route from Shanghai to Beijing on Monday, July 10, when it experienced turbulence at an altitude of 35,000 feet. Footage shows the aircraft descending several hundred feet, resulting in passengers and flight attendants being tossed around the cabin.
Passenger Xing Lida shared his harrowing experience on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. He described the flight as initially smooth, but a sudden drop in the final 30 to 40 minutes startled everyone on board. Xing, an associate professor at China University of Geosciences, witnessed a woman in her 40s and a flight attendant being thrown against the ceiling, causing it to crack and dislodging an exit sign. He noted that some passengers suffered sprains and superficial injuries.
Xing praised the bravery of the Air China flight attendants who, despite their own fear, quickly acted to protect passengers without seatbelts. They provided professional and calm assistance to the injured. Images from the cabin after the incident revealed scattered pillows, reading materials, and other items, illustrating the intensity of the turbulence encountered.
Following the safe landing of the flight at 5:18 pm local time, one passenger and a flight attendant were transported to a Beijing hospital. The airline has not disclosed their current conditions.
Clear air turbulence – CAT – is sudden and severe turbulence occurring in cloudless regions at high altitudes and causes planes to be shaken violently.