Ten people have been injured after a Cathay Pacific flight from Brisbane to Hong Kong encountered severe turbulence just two hours before landing. The Airbus A350-900, carrying approximately 240 passengers, experienced a sudden drop near the end of its overnight journey on Sunday.
Medical teams met the aircraft upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport at around 6.45am. According to the airline, six cabin crew and four passengers reported minor injuries, with eight sent to hospital for further care. Almost all have since been discharged.
Passengers described the frightening experience. One told the South China Morning Post that it felt like “free-falling from a drop tower”, while another recounted to ABC News that he “thought the plane was going down”. The turbulence struck shortly after cabin crew had begun the breakfast service.
The passenger added that the plane plunged twice in quick succession due to “some sort of thunder or lightning cell” that had not been visible on radar because of darkness. The Federal Aviation Administration defines clear-air turbulence (CAT) as sudden severe turbulence occurring in cloudless regions, often without visual warning.
Images shared on social media showed the cabin littered with meal trays, food containers, and loose equipment. Cathay Pacific stated: “The safety of our customers and crew guides every decision we make.”
