|
|
Post by stvfishy on Jan 10, 2008 8:43:28 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Jan 10, 2008 9:28:07 GMT -8
A very good reason to keep your seat belt fastened at all times when seated despite the rarity of such clear air turbulence and sudden drops. It is great to stretch your legs but there is always the very slight risk when you are up and around that you will end up with a goose egg. I estimate I have probably taken 200 flights in my life so far and never experienced these sudden significant drops out of the blue. I also don't know anyone who has been through it either with all the travel they all do as well. There was the very severe one (I believe Japan Airlines) where a woman died and there were numerous broken bones and other bangs and bruises.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager 
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 10, 2008 9:52:00 GMT -8
Did this flight have to go back Calgary or was this before it reached Calgary which I would assume be over the rockies??? I experienced heavy turbulence on a WestJet flight into Calgary once. They announced it and told everyone to go back to their seats even the flight attendants. And this was a nice clear summer June day in Calgary too. It was one of the roughest I have ever seen.
|
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Jan 10, 2008 11:02:31 GMT -8
I can check later on a website and get maybe get a response. If it was much past Calgary they would have likely landed in Lethbridge, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon or Regina depending on how far along they were. If there were head injuries they would have landed as quickly as possible. They may have even had to dump fuel first because the aircraft would have had enough fuel to travel to Toronto, circle fuel, and enough reserves to reach their designated diversion airport.
Over the Rockies is a common place for turbulence, but clear air stuff is unpredictable and can happen suddenly. My understanding is that dopler radar can sometimes pick out the conditions. It is now used to predict wind sheer on landings and take offs during storms. Aircraft on the Atlantic tracks to Europe all keep in touch with each other and warn other aircraft about turbulence because radar doesn't reach across the whole route.
|
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Jan 10, 2008 11:25:51 GMT -8
I have never posted a bitmap image so no clue how to put it in here. Would love to email it to someone if they want to do it. The aircraft skirted just south of the US border then began a track to head north and land in Calgary. I would assume that it was below the Okanagan when it happened but that is just my guess from the track. According to passengers one wing lifted dramatically before slamming down. Sounds like an unusual gust rather than the typical clear air turbulence. There are about 11 injuries and some involve head and spine. No word if they are flight crew or passengers.
|
|
|
|
Post by stvfishy on Jan 10, 2008 15:11:48 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Jan 10, 2008 18:54:50 GMT -8
Thanks Stvfishy I use Flightaware. The problem can be it is sometimes inaccurate. It also is restricted to airspace close to the US.
|
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Jan 10, 2008 20:44:58 GMT -8
|
|
