A Turkish Airlines flight en route from Istanbul to Taipei in Taiwan encountered severe turbulence shortly before it landed at Taipei. Although the aircraft, a Boeing 777, landed safely, four passengers and two crew members were reportedly injured in the incident according to local media.
The flight involved in this latest incident of turbulence affecting commercial aircraft occurred as Turkish Airlines flight TK24 from Istanbul-Ataturk Airport (IST) to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) approached its destination on September 5, 2024. The flight, operated by Boeing 777-300ER registered TC-JJE, was carrying 214 passengers and 17 crew at the time of the turbulence event.
According to the Aviation Herald, the aircraft was in the cruise and flying at 31,000ft (10,100 meters) over Chinese airspace about two hours from landing when the aircraft encountered turbulence. The plane experienced a sudden and intense bout of turbulence which had not been foreseen by the pilots, and six passengers and crew who were not seated at the time sustained injuries. Despite the severity of the event and the resulting injuries, the flight continued to Taipei for a landing on runway 05L without further incident.
At Taipei, emergency services were on standby to assist the injured individuals when the aircraft landed. Passengers who were unable to continue their journey were provided with accommodation and alternative travel arrangements by the airline. According to a company statement, the injuries were reported as ‘minor’ although two of the six injured persons were taken to hospital for medical checks upon landing as a precaution.
“Our passengers and crew on flight TK24 from Istanbul to Taipei experienced a period of unexpected turbulence,” said a statement issued by the carrier. “Unfortunately, a small number of passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries. We are relieved that the aircraft landed safely, and that medical assistance was provided promptly.”
“We understand that this was a distressing experience for our passengers, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. The safety and comfort of our passengers is our top priority,” the statement concluded.
The airline confirmed that it will be working closely with the relevant authorities in Taiwan to investigate the cause of the turbulence and whether there had been any prior warnings of its presence. The aircraft remained on the ground in Taipei for around four hours before continuing with its return journey back to Istanbul.