Qantas B738 near Brisbane on Nov 13th 2024, turbulence injures 3 passengers
Last Update: January 15, 2025 / 16:07:43 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Nov 13, 2024
Classification
Accident
Airline
Qantas
Flight number
QF-528
Departure
Sydney, Australia
Destination
Brisbane, Australia
Aircraft Registration
VH-VXC
Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800
ICAO Type Designator
B738
Australia's TSB released an occurrence brief stating:
Just prior to descent, the flight crew, aware of potential upcoming turbulence, turned the seatbelt sign on, and made a standard announcement for all passengers to return to their seats and to fasten their seatbelts.
Around 4–5 minutes after the seatbelt sign was turned on, as the aircraft passed FL330, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence for approximately 45–60 seconds.
One passenger, who was already in the toilet prior to the seatbelt sign being turned on, did not return to their seat before the turbulence encounter. Another passenger, with a small child, ignored the seatbelt sign and cabin crew requests to be seated and proceeded with the child to the second toilet where they remained during the turbulence encounter. The door to this toilet was damaged during the turbulence, likely from passenger impact, and was unable to be opened. An off-duty pilot assisted removing the door to access the 2 passengers inside. All 3 passengers sustained minor injuries and were provided with first aid by cabin crew.
The flight crew declared a medical PAN PAN to air traffic control and the aircraft landed in Brisbane without further incident. Ambulance staff treated the injured passengers at the gate.
The ATSB issued following safety message:
When the seatbelt sign is on, passengers are required by law to have their seatbelt fastened for their own safety. Even when the seatbelt sign is off, passengers should continue to keep their seatbelt fastened, as pilots or cabin crew do not always have enough time to warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts before turbulence hits.
Cabin crew are trained to ensure passengers are safe at all times, and are aware of the dangers of in-flight turbulence. It is for this reason that passengers should follow any requests by cabin crew – including fastening seatbelts, securing carry-on baggage, or returning to seats when asked.
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Nov 13, 2024
Classification
Accident
Airline
Qantas
Flight number
QF-528
Departure
Sydney, Australia
Destination
Brisbane, Australia
Aircraft Registration
VH-VXC
Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800
ICAO Type Designator
B738
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!
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
Fleet type match
Qantas B738 near Gold Coast on Sep 18th 2023, hydraulic leak
A Qantas Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VXC performing flight QF-596 from Sydney,NS to Coolangatta,QL (Australia), landed on Gold Coast Airport's…
Fleet type match
Qantas B738 at Kalgoorlie on May 13th 2012, lightning strike
A Qantas Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VXC performing flight QF-1064 from Perth,WA to Kalgoorlie,WA (Australia), was on approach to Kalgoorlie…
Fleet type match
Qantas A388 at Sydney on Jan 4th 2026, rejected takeoff
A Qantas Airbus A380-800, registration VH-OQB performing flight QF-1 from Sydney,NS (Australia) to Singapore (Singapore), was accelerating for…
Fleet type match
Qantas A332 enroute on Dec 23rd 2025, pressurization problem
A Qantas Airbus A330-200, registration VH-EBA performing flight QF-36 from Singapore (Singapore) to Melbourne,VI (Australia) with 240 people on…
Fleet type match
Qantas B738 near Auckland on Sep 26th 2025, cargo fire indication
A Qantas Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VZE performing flight QF-141 from Sydney,NS (Australia) to Auckland (New Zealand), was descending towards…
Alliance E190 near Darwin on Sep 22nd 2025, loss of cabin pressure
An Alliance Airlines Embraer ERJ-190 on behalf of Qantas, registration VH-XVU performing flight QF-1889 from Darwin,NT to Cairns,QL (Australia), had…
Fleet type match
Qantas A333 at Melbourne on Aug 10th 2025, hydraulic problems
A Qantas Airbus A330-300, registration VH-QPJ performing flight QF-29 from Melbourne,VI (Australia) to Hong Kong (China), was climbing out of…
Newest articles
El Al B738 at Amsterdam on Feb 12th 2026, rejected takeoff due to malfunction
An El Al Boeing 737-800, registration 4X-EKN performing flight LY-46 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Tel Aviv (Israel), had lined up runway 18L and…
Fleet type match
KLM A332 at Amsterdam on Feb 13th 2026, hydraulic leak
A KLM Airbus A330-200, registration PH-AOF performing flight KL-765 (dep Feb 12th) from Bonaire (Bonaire) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), landed on…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
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.
SafetyScan Pro provides streamlined access to thousands of aviation accident reports. Tailored for your safety management efforts. Book your demo today
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways