Why were so many people injured?
The rapid and extreme changes in gravitational force were strong enough to lift passengers off their seats before they fell back down. The incident also occurred during meal service, when more people were likely moving around the cabin.
The digital flight data recorder showed vertical acceleration dropped from +1.35G to -1.5G in 0.6 seconds. Within the next four seconds, it swung back to +1.5G. Put together, these changes were enough to send an unbelted person airborne and then slam them down.
The pilot activated the seatbelt sign after the onset of turbulence at 7:49:23am UTC, but severe turbulence struck 17 seconds later – leaving little time for passengers to react. Flight crew had no time to make a cabin announcement.
Most injuries were to the head, neck and spine, including fractures, compressions, lacerations and dislocations. The passenger who died suffered heart failure and lung edema – a condition where there is too much fluid in the lungs.
Of the 229 people on board, 56 sustained serious injuries, 23 minor injuries and 149 were uninjured. Cabin damage included broken ceiling panels and punctured overhead bins.
