British Airways Airbus A380 Turbulence Injures Two Despite Seatbelt Warning

January 10, 2026 at 01:31 AM•3 min read

British Airways A380 turbulence over the North Atlantic seriously injured one passenger and one crew member, highlighting the risk of unexpected clear-air turbulence.

Key Points

1The UK AAIB investigated the December 6, 2024, British Airways A380 turbulence incident.
2One passenger and one cabin crew member sustained serious ankle injuries (broken ankles).
3The flight crew utilized a real-time weather application to anticipate turbulence and turn on the seatbelt signs.
4Turbulence is the leading cause of accidents for commercial air carriers, accounting for 36% of Part 121 accidents from 2008 through 2022.

A recent safety investigation highlights a North Atlantic turbulence incident involving a British Airways Airbus A380-800. The incident resulted in serious ankle injuries for two people. The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) released its final report. This report details the unexpected event on December 6, 2024.

Incident Details and AAIB Findings

The British Airways A380 turbulence occurred on flight BA-268. This flight was traveling from Los Angeles to London Heathrow. The aircraft was cruising at 39,000 feet, south of Greenland. The flight crew had monitored weather conditions closely. They used a live weather application on their operational tablets. This tool helped them anticipate rough air. The seatbelt signs illuminated approximately 20 minutes before the event.

Despite these air travel safety protocols, the aircraft hit a brief patch of turbulence. The event lasted only 10 to 15 seconds. The captain perceived the turbulence as light to moderate. However, the sudden vertical movement threw occupants. One passenger and one cabin crew member suffered broken ankles.

The injured passenger was returning to his seat. He had not noticed the seatbelt signs were on. The injured crew member was securing herself in her seat. The AAIB noted the seatbelt signs likely prevented more injuries. The aircraft, an Airbus A380, continued safely to London. Emergency services met the aircraft upon arrival.

The Challenge of Clear-Air Turbulence

This event underscores the challenge of predicting unexpected clear-air turbulence. Clear-air turbulence (CAT) is invisible to pilots. It is not associated with visible weather systems like thunderstorms. The incident occurred in an area of forecasted turbulence. The AAIB report emphasized the limits of current forecasting tools.

Turbulence remains a major risk in commercial aviation news. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tracks these events. Turbulence is the leading cause of accidents for commercial air carriers. From 2008 through 2022, it caused 36% of Part 121 accidents. Each of these accidents resulted in at least one serious injury.

Recent studies suggest that CAT is increasing. Over the North Atlantic, moderate-or-greater CAT increased by 37%. This change occurred between 1979 and 2020. This trend is linked to changes in atmospheric conditions. It makes passenger and crew safety a growing concern. The incident highlights the critical need for passengers to obey the seatbelt signs illuminated rule. This simple action is the best defense against sudden, unexpected forces. Further developments in this area of commercial aviation news can be followed on https://flying.flights.