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A primer on air turbulence
December 29, 1997
Simulation of turbulence on United Airlines Flight 826
Web posted at: 12:16 p.m. EST (1716 GMT)(CNN) -- Air turbulence is a violent, irregular air motion that normally cannot be seen and often occurs unexpectedly. It can be created by a number of different conditions, including atmospheric pressures, jet streams, cold or warm fronts, or thunderstorms. Turbulence can occur when the sky appears to be clear.
The turbulence that hit United Airlines Flight 826 is a relatively common type known as clear air turbulence.
This sudden, and often vicious, phenomenon is invisible to cockpit radar.
CNN's Rick Lockridge reports.
There are four categories of turbulence: light, moderate, severe and extreme.
The United Airlines incident was a category "severe" turbulence, which can cause abrupt changes in altitude and airspeed and even temporary loss of control.
Turbulence facts and statistics In June 1995, the FAA issued a public advisory to airlines urging the use of seat belts at all times when passengers are seated as a precaution against unexpected turbulence.
Among non-fatal accidents, in-flight turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to airline passengers and flight attendants.
Each year, about 58 air passengers in the United States are injured by turbulence while not wearing their seat belts.
On December 5, 1996, 16 people suffered injuries, including a 7-month old baby, when an American Airlines jetliner ran into clear-air turbulence over Colorado.
From 1981-November 1996, there were 252 reports of turbulence affecting major air carriers. Two passengers died, 63 suffered serious injuries and 863 received minor injuries. Both fatalities involved passengers who were not wearing their seat belts.
Two-thirds of turbulence-related accidents occur at or above 30,000 feet. Source: Federal Aviation Administration
Correspondent Rick Lockridge contributed to this report.
Related sites:
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- Federal Aviation Administration
- Research on turbulence control
- SUNY at Buffalo Turbulence Research Labratory
- University of Houston - Vortex Technology Center
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
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