Air China Flight Sudden Plunge Sends Passengers and Crew Slamming off the Ceiling

Dramatic video footage captured the terrifying moment when an Air China flight encountered severe clear air turbulence (CAT) during its journey from Shanghai to Beijing. The Airbus A330-300 aircraft, carrying 153 passengers and 12 crew members, experienced the turbulent episode at an altitude of 35,000 feet. The plane abruptly descended several hundred feet, causing passengers and flight attendants to be flung into the air.

Passenger Xing Lida recounted the harrowing experience on Chinese social media platform Weibo. According to Xing, the flight had been relatively smooth until the last 30 to 40 minutes when a sudden drop startled everyone on board. Xing witnessed a woman in her 40s and a flight attendant being thrown towards the ceiling, with the ceiling cracking and the exit sign falling to the floor. Some passengers sustained sprains and minor injuries during the incident.

Despite the chaos, Xing commended the bravery and professionalism of the Air China flight attendants. They swiftly protected passengers who had not fastened their seatbelts and provided assistance to the injured in a calm and proficient manner.

The aircraft safely landed in Beijing, where one passenger and a crew member were transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. The exact condition of the injured individuals was not immediately available.

Clear air turbulence, characterized by sudden and severe turbulence in cloudless regions at high altitudes, can result in violent shaking of the aircraft. This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of turbulence and highlights the importance of passengers fastening their seatbelts during the entirety of the flight to ensure their safety.