BAW A388 over Atlantic Ocean on Dec 6th 2024, turbulence injures 2

Last Update: January 8, 2026 / 17:21:36 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of British Airways G-XLEI, Airbus A380-800 — British Airways G-XLEI, Airbus A380-800 (Photo credit: HawkeyeUK / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 6, 2024

Classification
Report

Airline
British Airways

Flight number
BA-268

Departure
Los Angeles, United States

Destination
London Heathrow, United Kingdom

Aircraft Registration
G-XLEI

Aircraft Type
Airbus A380-800

ICAO Type Designator
A388

A BAW British Airways Airbus A380-800, registration G-XLEI performing flight BA-268 from Los Angeles,CA (USA) to London Heathrow,EN (UK) with 277 passengers and 24 crew, was enroute at FL390 over the Atlantic Ocean south of Greenland in an area of forecast turbulence, the fasten seat belt signs had been turned on, when the aircraft encountered turbulence for about 15 seconds, the crew decribed the turbulence as moderate. A flight attendant and a passenger received serious injuries. The aircraft continued to London for a safe landing.

On Jan 8th 2026 the British AAIB released their bulletin concluding the probable cause of the accident was:

A crew member and a passenger sustained serious leg injuries during a brief period of turbulence. The flight crew monitored the turbulence situation using a real-time weather application on their operational tablet devices and instructed the cabin crew to secure the cabin some time before the event. Had the seat belt signs been off, more people might have been affected.

The event highlights the benefits of live weather app technology and ground-based medical services in assisting with crew decision making.

The AAIB summarized the sequence of events:

Around 20 minutes after the seat belt signs were switched on, there was an episode of turbulence lasting around 10 to 15 seconds which the commander said he perceived as light to moderate. Recorded data showed the aircraft’s speed varied by around plus or minus 13 KIAS, but was controlled by the autopilot. During this time, a member of cabin crew was lowering her crew seat to strap herself in when the turbulence raised her up after which she fell, breaking her ankle. She called the flight deck using an interphone to explain she was injured. Another member of cabin crew informed the In-flight lead (IFL).

Soon after, the IFL was informed that a passenger in the upper deck was also injured. That passenger reported that he left his seat to use the lavatory. He described the aircraft as “undergoing light chop” but, having been asleep prior to that, had not noticed the seat belt signs being on, and had not heard any announcements. While returning to his seat he described the aircraft making a sudden movement upward and sideways, and believed that the movement of the floor with respect to his foot broke his ankle.

The flight deck crew called MedLink for advice. Two other passengers – who were doctors – assisted with the injured persons, using splints to support their ankles and administering pain relief. The cabin crew and doctors used on-board materials to create additional splints secured with items of clothing to supplement the medical kit supplies.

The AAIB analysed:

Weather app technology

Given that pre-flight weather charts give a widespread picture of potential turbulence conditions, this type of event highlights the benefits of live weather app technology in giving localised, real-time turbulence information to crew. The commander in this event followed ‘anticipated’ turbulence procedures and – although two people were unfortunately injured – had the seat belt signs remained off, more people may have been affected.

Situation in the cabin

With two injured persons, and a third, unrelated, medical event onboard, the IFL ensured sufficient cabin crew were recalled from rest periods to fulfil the Medical action plan. Two doctors onboard assisted the casualties, and some improvisation was used to supplement medical kit supplies and immobilise injuries.

Ground based medical advice

Given weather limitations at nearby airports, this event highlights the benefits of ground-based professional medical advice for informing flight crews’ decision making – in this case, continuing to Heathrow, with emergency assistance from ATC.