Hong Kong A332 near Hong Kong on Jun 18th 2019, turbulence injures cabin crew

Last Update: March 3, 2023 / 16:52:28 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jun 18, 2019

Classification
Accident

Flight number
HX-305

Destination
Hong Kong, China

Aircraft Registration
B-LHA

Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-200

ICAO Type Designator
A332

A Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A330-200, registration B-LHA performing flight HX-305 from Beijing to Hong Kong (China), was descending towards Hong Kong near Nansha about 40nm northnorthwest of Hong Kong when the aircraft encountered moderate turbulence. One flight attendant received serious injuries as result of the turbulence. The aircraft continued for a safe landing at Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok Airport.

Hong Kong's AAIA rated the occurrence an accident and opened an investigation.

On Aug 19th 2019 the AAIA released their preliminary report reporting the flight attendant received a fracture of his/her right foot. The captain had avised cabin crew to prepare the cabin early for the arrival in Hong Kong due to bad weather at Hong Kong. The fasten seat belt signs were illuminated. When cabin crew performed their pre-landing checks, the aircraft encountered turbulence, the captain made an announcement "Cabin crew, take your seats", however, one of the flight attendants had already received the injury. After landing the flight attendant was taken to a hospital.

In February 2023 the AAIA released their final report concluding the probable cause of the accident was:

The accident was caused by unexpectedly severe turbulence during the aircraft’s descent into Hong Kong.

The AAIA reported one of the cabin crew sustained a "acute traumatic fracture of the right foot – metatarsal bones".

The AAIA analysed that at 04:18:01 the aircraft encountered a severe updraft of ~28kt in 2 seconds followed by a significant downwind gradient of ~44kt in 3 seconds. This vertical turbulence led to the vertical load factor to increase up to +1.75G before decreasing to +0.35G. The weather radar was working normally.

The AAIA wrote:

The event occurred close to HKIA and the SPECI issued about 5 minutes after the event indicated a thunderstorm in the airport vicinity. The weather was consistent with the meteorological reports which indicated that embedded cumulonimbus cloud might be encountered at or before the descent into Hong Kong in Guangdong airspace. The aircraft flew through an area of isolated embedded cumulonimbus which most probably led it to experience significant wind gusts and corresponding vertical and lateral acceleration variations. These significant wind variations and their associated turbulence occurred between 04:17:50 and 04:18:42.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jun 18, 2019

Classification
Accident

Flight number
HX-305

Destination
Hong Kong, China

Aircraft Registration
B-LHA

Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-200

ICAO Type Designator
A332

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source

You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.

Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!

Are you a subscriber? Login
Subscribe

Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.

Send tip

Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.

Related articles

Newest articles

Subscribe today

Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.

Pick your plan and subscribe

Partner

Blockaviation logo

A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.

ELITE Logo

ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.

Blue Altitude Logo

Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.

AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American Airlines
United
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways