Sunstate DH8D at Canberra on Oct 10th 2016, turbulence injures captain

Last Update: January 17, 2017 / 16:48:37 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Sunstate Airlines VH-LQM, De Havilland Dash 8 (400) — Sunstate Airlines VH-LQM, De Havilland Dash 8 (400) (Photo credit: Alec BHX/KKC / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Oct 10, 2016

Classification
Accident

Cause
Turbulence

Airline
Sunstate Airlines

Flight number
QF-2130

Departure
Melbourne, Australia

Destination
Canberra, Australia

Aircraft Registration
VH-LQM

Aircraft Type
De Havilland Dash 8 (400)

ICAO Type Designator
DH8D

Airport
Canberra International Airport, Canberra

Airport ICAO Code
YSCB

A Sunstate Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Qantas, registration VH-LQM performing flight QF-2130 from Melbourne,VI to Canberra,AC (Australia) with 74 passengers and 4 crew, was descending through 7000 feet on approach to Canberra when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Canberra's runway 35 about 7 minutes later.

The Australian TSB reported two cabin crew and a passenger received minor injuries as result of the turbulence encounter. An investigation has been opened.

On Jan 17th 2017 the ATSB released their final report releasing following findings:

- The severe turbulence incident was probably an encounter with mountain wave activity in the lee-side of the Brindabella Ranges.

- The captain was probably insufficiently restrained by their crotch strap to prevent them striking their head during the encounter with turbulence.

- The flight crew were prepared for the risk of an encounter with severe turbulence during the descent and approach to Canberra.

The ATSB reported that weather forecasts received by the crew indicated severe turbulence activity during the descent and approach to Canberra.

Enroute at FL210 the captain, pilot flying, instructed cabin crew to prepare the cabin for landing several minutes prior to reaching the top of descent. The approach remained smooth, hence the crew waited with activating the fasten seat belt signs until descending through FL130.

The ATSB then wrote:

Between waypoints GOMAN and HONEY, the aircraft descended below FL 110 and the PF reduced the aircraft speed to 210 kt, which is the best speed for turbulence penetration. The PM estimated that the tailwind component reduced from about 70 kt to about 40 kt after the descent below FL 110. At this point, the aircraft was tracking about 060° and passing in and out of cloud over the Brindabella Ranges, which has ridgelines orientated north-south to the south-west of Canberra.

During the descent, the flight crew did not observe any weather radar indications of potential turbulence or visible indications from the shape or movement of the clouds. Between waypoints HONEY and DALEY at about 7,000 ft AMSL, while passing through a small cloud, the aircraft dropped abruptly. The flight crew reported that everything in the flight deck became airborne, the autopilot disengaged and the PF struck the left side of their head on the overhead air-vent and light, which dislodged their headset. The captain handed control over to the first officer while they refitted their headset and re-established communications, then resumed their flying pilot role and reset the auto-pilot.

The flight crew continued the approach to land at Canberra without further incident and notified Canberra air traffic control of their severe turbulence encounter on the approach. After the aircraft landed, the PM contacted the cabin crew to check if there were any cabin injures to report. The cabin crew indicated they were uninjured and made a public address to the passengers to check for injuries. The PM then called their company to inform them the aircraft was unserviceable after a severe turbulence incident, and also noticed the captain’s minor injuries.

During the disembarkation of the passengers, the cabin crew informed the first officer that one passenger had hit their head on the overhead baggage locker. The first officer then asked a company ground agent to contact the emergency services so the passenger could be checked. However, the passenger declined treatment. The emergency services arrived and checked the captain. The captain was then advised by the company to visit a doctor where they were diagnosed with minor injuries.

The ATSB reported there was one minor injury, the captain of the flight.

Metars:
YSCB 100300Z 29013KT 9999 -RA FEW025 SCT045 BKN070 13/08 Q1011 TEMPO 0300/0600 6000 SHRA BKN020 FM0300 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT
YSCB 100230Z 29014KT 9999 VCSH FEW025 SCT070 BKN130 15/06 Q1011 TEMPO 0230/0530 6000 SHRA BKN020 FM0230 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT
YSCB 100200Z 28015KT 9999 FEW030 SCT070 BKN120 15/06 Q1010 FM0200 29020G30KT 9999 -SHRA SCT020 SCT035 TEMPO 0200/0500 6000 SHRA BKN020 FM0200 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT
YSCB 100130Z 29015KT 9999 FEW035 BKN070 16/06 Q1011 FM0130 29020G30KT 9999 -SHRA SCT020 SCT035 TEMPO 0200/0430 6000 SHRA BKN020 FM0130 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT
YSCB 100100Z 29015KT 9999 FEW030 BKN065 OVC130 16/07 Q1011 FM0100 29020G32KT 9999 -SHRA SCT020 SCT035 TEMPO 0200/0400 4000 SHRA BKN015 FM0100 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5
YSCB 100030Z 29017KT 9999 FEW025 SCT070 OVC130 17/07 Q1010
YSCB 100003Z 30018G28KT 9999 FEW025 BKN150 BKN220 18/08 Q1010 FM0003 29020G32KT9999 -SHRA SCT020 SCT035 TEMPO 0200/0303 4000 SHRA BKN015 FM0003 MOD/SEV TURB BL
YSCB 092346Z 29018G28KT 9999 FEW025 BKN150 BKN220 17/07 Q1011 FM2346 29020G32KT9999 -SHRA SCT020 SCT035 INTER 0200/0246 5000 SHRA BKN015 FM2346 MOD/SEV TURB BL
YSCB 092330Z 29019KT 9999 FEW025 BKN150 BKN220 18/09 Q1010 FM2330 31016G26KT 9999 FEW025 FM0100 29018G30KT 9999 -SHRA SCT025 BKN035 INTER 0200/0230 5000 SHRA BKN015 FM2330 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT
YSCB 092300Z 31014KT 9999 FEW025 BKN160 BKN220 17/12 Q1010 FM2300 31016G26KT 9999 FEW025 FM0100 29018G30KT 9999 -SHRA SCT025 BKN035 FM2300 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT
YSCB 092230Z 33016KT 9999 FEW025 BKN160 BKN230 17/12 Q1009 FM2230 31016G26KT 9999 FEW025 FM0100 29018G30KT 9999 -SHRA SCT025 BKN035 FM2230 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT
YSCB 092200Z 33013KT 9999 FEW025 BKN160 BKN230 16/12 Q1009 FM2200 31016G26KT 9999 FEW025 FM2200 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT
YSCB 092130Z 33016KT 9999 FEW025 BKN160 17/12 Q1009 FM2130 31016G26KT 9999 FEW025 FM2130 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT