A passenger and a crew member sustained injuries on an Air New Zealand flight from Wellington to Queenstown after encountering intense turbulence on Sunday. The turbulence incident occurred as hot drinks were being served, leading to a serious onboard accident.

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Hato Hone St John emergency services confirmed receiving a call to Queenstown Airport at 2:50 pm. Two individuals were transported to Lakes District Hospital, both in moderate condition.

A passenger onboard described the turbulence to local media outlet Crux as “not super long but intense,” highlighting the unexpected severity that struck as beverages were being distributed.

“A full coffee pot poured over a lady passenger. She received burns and a paramedic attended to her,” the passenger recounted. “Once we landed in Queenstown, the lady passenger was sent to the hospital in an ambulance… she had some blistering.”

The same passenger mentioned that a crew member also sustained injuries: “One of the cabin crew told us how she was standing and went up and hit the ceiling.” The turbulence was likened to the sensation of being on a rollercoaster, emphasizing its intensity.

Air New Zealand has acknowledged the incident on flight NZ607. Captain David Morgan, the airline’s chief operational integrity and safety officer, stated, “Our crew are trained to respond to these situations. Our operating procedures outline our onboard response to different levels of turbulence, including detailing when passengers and crew are required to take their seats during the flight. From time to time, clear-air turbulence can occur where rough air is not visible to the flight crew.”

Morgan assured that the airline continually reviews its operating procedures to align with regulations and international best practices, ensuring the safety of both customers and crew.

This incident comes amidst a global increase in dangerous turbulence attributed to climate change. Last month, a severe turbulence event over Myanmar resulted in one fatality and 71 injuries on a Singapore Airlines flight.

The rise in such occurrences underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols and adaptive measures to mitigate risks posed by unforeseen atmospheric conditions.

Tin Bureau