Korean A333 near Tianjin on Feb 13th 2013, turbulence injures 2
Last Update: July 8, 2014 / 16:17:59 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Feb 13, 2013
Classification
Accident
Cause
Turbulence
Airline
Korean Airlines
Flight number
KE-805
Departure
Seoul, South Korea
Destination
Tianjin, China
Aircraft Registration
HL7710
Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-300
ICAO Type Designator
A333
The French BEA reported in their weekly bulletin South Korea's authorities are investigating the accident.
On Jul 8th 2014 South Korea's ARAIB released their final report in Korean concluding the probable cause of the accident was:
Vortices generated within the strong jet streams, the aircraft was flying in, caused the turbulence encounter. The cabin crew was cleaning the galleys after food service to passengers, two flight attendants fell and received serious injuries.
The ARAIB reported that the aircraft was on approach to Tianjin and was cleared to descend from 8,400 to 7,200 meters (FL275 to FL236). Close to 7,200 meters the aircraft encountered light to moderate turbulence. The captain immediately illuminated the fasten seat belt signs, the seat belt chime was sounded twice. The crew requested further descent and was cleared to 6,600 meters (FL216). The flight smoothened upon reaching 6,600 meters. However, two flight attendants had received serious injuries in the turbulence encounter.
The ARAIB reported that the flight had been planned to cruise at 9,800 meters (FL321), but due to turbulence reports the crew decided in flight to stop the climb and maintain 8,400 meters enroute. The captain (44, ATPL, 7,432 hours total, 992 hours on type) reported the first officer's weather radar was set to 160nm range with a tilt angle between 0.5 and 1.0 degrees nose down. There were no clouds around, however haze was forecast for Tianjin as well as light to moderate turbulence near Tianjin. Light turbulence was encountered on descent first prompting the crew to reduce speed from 310 to 280 KIAS, then moderate turbulence followed prompting the crew to chime the seat belt signs twice turning the seat belt signs on and to request further descent. After the flight became smooth again at FL216 the crew issued a pilot report to ATC.
The first officer (42, ATPL, 13,780 hours total, 2,360 hours on type) reported that about 10-15 seconds after a first light turbulence was felt, the captain immediately illuminated the fasten seat belt signs, moderate turbulence was encountered. The weather charts forecast light to moderate turbulence from FL250 to FL500 south of their flight path.
The weather services reported that there was a haze effect in the area as result of turbulent airflow within two strong jet streams spanning from mainland China across the Yellow Sea into Korea and Japan, however, no cloud, no precipitation and no thunder existed. At the approximate altitude of the aircraft, at FL240, the one jet stream with tops up to FL600 moved at about 110 knots producing moderate turbulence. The other jet stream moved almost parallel at about 90 knots. Within the altitude range of FL200 to FL250 interaction between the two different airflows created moderate turbulence.
The quick access recorder revealed that the aircraft was at 308 KCAS at 23,650 feet when a vertical acceleration of +1.684G was encountered, 6 seconds later another +1.547G, then the amplitude of the bumps reduced and stopped at 21,700 feet.
The ARAIB analysed that the two injured flight attendants were located at the aft galley, one near the door L4 receiving a fracture of the left ankle, the other near the door R4 falling on her back receiving back injuries.
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Feb 13, 2013
Classification
Accident
Cause
Turbulence
Airline
Korean Airlines
Flight number
KE-805
Departure
Seoul, South Korea
Destination
Tianjin, China
Aircraft Registration
HL7710
Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-300
ICAO Type Designator
A333
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
Korean A388 enroute on Aug 14th 2023, gear problem
A Korean Airlines Airbus A380-800, registration HL7621 performing flight KE-81 from Seoul (South Korea) to New York JFK,NY (USA), was enroute at…
Korean A332 at Seoul on Dec 22nd 2022, engine shut down in flight
A Korean Airlines Airbus A330-200, registration HL8227 performing flight KE-42 from Seattle,WA (USA) to Seoul (South Korea) with 202 passengers and…
Korean A333 at Seoul on Oct 30th 2022, engine shut down in flight
A Korean Air Airbus A330-300, registration HL7702 performing flight KE-401 from Seoul (South Korea) to Sydney,NS (Australia) with 271 passengers and…
Korean A333 at Cebu on Oct 23rd 2022, overran runway on landing
A Korean Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration HL7525 performing flight KE-631 from Seoul (South Korea) to Cebu City (Philippines) with 162…
Korean A332 near Baku on Jul 9th 2022, engine vibrations
A Korean Airlines Airbus A330-200, registration HL8228 performing flight KE-9956 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Seoul (South Korea) with 215 passengers…
Newest articles
Luxwing DH8D at Guernsey on Apr 23rd 2024, runway overrun on landing
A Luxwing de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Aurigny Air Services, registration 9H-LWB performing flight GR-609 from London Gatwick,EN to…
British Airways A388 at Singapore on Apr 22nd 2024, weather radar failure
A British Airways Airbus A380-800, registration G-XLED performing flight BA-12 from Singapore (Singapore) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was climbing…
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
A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.
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.
Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways