Dozens injured as severe turbulence hits Etihad Airways flight

The long-haul flight was just 45 minutes from landing when the turbulence started

Nine passengers were hospitalised and 22 others injured after a Etihad Airways flight was hit by “sudden and unexpected” turbulence as it prepared to land in Indonesia.

The incident, involving Flight EY474 which departed from Abu Dhabi, took place about 45 minutes before the plane was due to land in Jakarta.

The Airbus A330-200 landed safely at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, however nine passengers and a crew member were taken to a local hospital for serious injuries.

Paramedics treated the other 22 injured passengers at the airport clinic, and according to the airline, all were later released.

Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan, said: “Our pilots and cabin crew are to be commended for the calm and professional manner in which they dealt with this exceptional event, and the care they showed the passengers, despite several being injured themselves.

“It is testament to the high standard of our crew training that the effects of the turbulence were minimised. At no time was the safety of the aircraft, passengers or crew compromised.”

A statement from the airline said only that the plane had “encountered severe and unexpected clear air turbulence,” which is the most common type of turbulence.

However, a video taken by a passenger showed visibly distressed passengers – some crying and praying – while the aircraft shook, oxygen masks tumbled out of their compartments and ceiling tiles were dislodged.

Nenden Nurhaini, another passenger, told Jakarta-based news website Okezone: “It happened when I was performing prayers, the plane suddenly began to shake so fast.”

Indonesian transportation ministry spokesman, Hemi Pamuraharjo, said several of the people onboard had suffered broken bones in the incident.

He also said officials from the airport and Indonesia's national transportation safety committee were inspecting the plane.

The airline said they are cooperating fully with the Indonesian authorities in their investigation.

They said a specialist team had visited the nine hospitalised passengers to provide on-going care, support and assistance, and that most were expected to be discharged by the end of the day.

In addition, ariline representatives have met with several of the families of the injured and confirmed they will cover their medical expenses.