Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX Declares Emergency After Severe Turbulence Injures Passengers

December 28, 2025 at 09:16 PM•3 min read

Ryanair flight FR1121, a Boeing 737 MAX, returned to Birmingham after severe turbulence over France injured several passengers, prompting a Squawk 7700 emergency.

Key Points

1Ryanair flight FR1121, a Boeing 737 MAX, declared a Squawk 7700 emergency over France on December 28.
2The aircraft returned to Birmingham after severe turbulence caused multiple injuries, reportedly due to wake turbulence from a preceding jet.
3Turbulence is the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in commercial aviation, with flight attendants at the highest risk.
4The aircraft landed safely, and a small number of passengers received medical assistance upon arrival at BHX.

A Ryanair flight to Tenerife was forced to return to Birmingham Airport (BHX) after encountering severe air turbulence. The incident on December 28, 2025, resulted in multiple injuries onboard the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Emergency Return to Birmingham

Flight FR1121 departed Birmingham for Tenerife (TFS) at approximately 2:50 PM local time. The Boeing 737 MAX climbed to 35,000 feet before entering French airspace. The flight crew then declared a general emergency, issuing a Squawk 7700 code.

The aircraft turned back toward the UK and descended to 10,000 feet (FL100). It landed safely at Birmingham one hour and 32 minutes after its initial departure.

Emergency services met the aircraft at a remote stand. A small number of passengers required medical assistance after disembarking.

In a statement, Ryanair confirmed the return was due to air turbulence. The airline also confirmed a small number of passengers received medical help. The flight later continued to Tenerife at 9:06 PM local time.

Reported Cause and Passenger Accounts

Reports suggest the severe turbulence occurred while cabin service was in progress. This increases the risk of injury to unbelted passengers and crew.

One passenger reported the pilot announced the aircraft flew into another airplane's wake turbulence. This preceding aircraft was reportedly seven miles ahead.

Wake turbulence is a type of clear-air turbulence. It is created by the wingtip vortices of a preceding aircraft.

Another passenger account mentioned seeing a fighter jet just before the plane twisted and dropped. The extent of passenger injuries remains unclear.

Commercial Aviation Safety Context

Turbulence is a significant hazard in commercial aviation. It is the leading cause of injuries to passengers and flight attendants in non-fatal accidents.

Risk to Crew: Flight attendants are injured in over 92% of turbulence-related accidents in the US.
Injury Mitigation: Injuries are often sustained by individuals who are not wearing their seatbelts. This includes passengers and cabin crew working in the aisle or galley.

European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations emphasize vigilance. Pilots must be alert to weather forecasts and air traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also advises pilots to avoid the area below and behind larger aircraft. This is especially true at lower altitudes.

This incident highlights the need for continued focus on turbulence forecasting and mitigation. It serves as a reminder for all travelers to keep seatbelts fastened when seated. For more updates on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights. The safety of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft itself was not cited as a factor in this weather-related event.