Just what caused so many passengers to be injured in today’s extreme turbulence event on Hawaiian Airlines’ approach to Honolulu?
Just what caused so many passengers to be injured in today’s extreme turbulence event on Hawaiian Airlines’ approach to Honolulu?
I am a retired pilot. In the past two weeks I flew in and out of Hawaii Island (Big Island). I cringe every time I see people up and walking around in the cabin when the seatbelt sign is turned on. Apparently the urge to go to the bathroom trumps safety for a lot of people. My second observation is the number of people that do not want to rumple their shorts and sit unbuckled when the sign is off. As a pilot we used to gently suggest that people “do as we do in the cockpit and keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you’re in your seat. Since this airplane was on approach the final cabin check should have been completed and all “tray tables up and locked, all electronics turned off and stowed, and seat belts securely fastened. Were they?
My special needs sons have flown with me before. I checked on their seat belts because I didn’t want to be breaking any rules. I wondered what good a seat belt would do if you were high up in the air falling to Earth. I have heard of turbulence. I saw people experiencing it in a thunderstorm in a movie but I have not experienced it firsthand. I can see in a rough landing or being thrown around that a seat belt would keep you in place. I don’t know the exact circumstances on this flight so I don’t want to judge. I feel bad for all who were hurt. It’s an extra reminder for me to stay belted. Of course on especially long flights like Hawaii there will be bathroom breaks. Maybe I should start wearing Depends.
My Prayers go out to all of those who were injured 🙏. After a couple of turbulent experiences while sleeping without my seat belt on I almost always keep it on unless heading to the bathroom. It not only keeps me safe from turbulence but it also keeps me from falling out of my seat when I am sleeping and occasionally snoring. Thankfully I am Not a drooler. It’s really interesting how some people will ignore the seat belt sign, on approach get up to procure their bags, etc. and if they are injured they’ll blame the airline. There should be a Disclaimer for Turbulence and Dumb Acts.
This storm also brings mud slides and roads closer to Maui.
Very sorry for all injured. But I must assume none were belted in. An infant being held or people moving to and from the restroom I understand. But that likely accounts for a fraction of the 36. My family never sits without our seatbelts fastened and this is why. Why is common sense so often an uncommon virtue? Are these people among the many who also refuse to use their car seatbelts?
And given our litigious society, Hawaiian and their insurers will be held responsible for their bad judgment. The subsidizing of foolishness only creates a world of fools.
Absolutely the Truth, Well Said 👏 👌 👍
Never say never and never assume.
Not to say they “deserved it” but if you are on a plane without your seatbelt buckled then I don’t have much sympathy for them. This excludes babies and small children who have a hard time staying strapped in the entire journey. The rest of them? They should know better.
Personal responsibility people.
My special needs sons have flown with me before. I checked on their seat belts because I didn’t want to be breaking any rules. I wondered what good a seat belt would do if you were high up in the air falling to Earth. I have heard of turbulence. I saw people experiencing it in a thunderstorm in a movie but I have not experienced it firsthand. I can see in a rough landing or being thrown around that a seat belt would keep you in place. I don’t know the exact circumstances on this flight so I don’t want to judge. I feel bad for all who were hurt. It’s an extra reminder for me to stay belted. Of course on especially long flights like Hawaii there will be bathroom breaks. Maybe I should start wearing Depends.
My special needs sons have flown to Hawaii with me before. I always check to make sure their seat belts are fastened. I don’t know what the situation was when the turbulence struck but I do know a bathroom trip on a Hawaii flight is a necessity. I can’t judge not knowing all the facts but I am sorry for the ones that were hurt. I haven’t experienced any turbulence firsthand but this is a reminder of how a seat belt can come in handy. If your plane is crashing from way up in the sky maybe not so much.
I’m sitting on flight HA 100 from Honolulu to Maui. We landed at 8:40 here in Maui, and it’s now 10:20PM snd we are still sitting in the plane waiting to deplane. Horrific.
Why?
I wonder how many of the crew were injured. Probably none because they were all strapped into their jump seats. I bet that all of those who were injure were not buckled in, despite repeated announcements by the crew to do so. There’s no other explanation.
As for the storms, this morning, I drove out to Kahului (Maui) Airport. I noticed on my flight tracking phone app that several large aircraft were in spiral holding patterns over Ko’olawe island. One of those was an AA B777, annd it eventually flew south and landed at Kona instead. And I watched a Southwest airlines plane perform a “go around” maneuver, where at the last moment the pilot pulled up from the runway and aborted the landing. That plane also flew south to Kona.
It was mentioned that some of the crew were injured. I don’t remember the exact number.
This is yet another example of why you should always stay in your seat and have your seat belt fastened.
Airlines need to reduce the number of seats so they’re more comfortable, and people aren’t up and standing around in the cabin. I can see why they do it, but standing in the cabin is dangerous, and unless you need to use the rest room your seat is the safest place in the airplane.
If airlines reduce seats, they obviously will be increasing airfares accordingly. That’s just basic economics. Do you support increasing airfares? Those people I’m sure do not. Five hours and a less than optimal seat is a small price to pay for being able to fly across the Pacific Ocean. Those who won comfort should probably stay home and learn how to play golf.
There’s a reason that my seatbelt is always fastened unless necessary during a flight. Sorry for the people injured.