Eric Janson wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2019 10:46 pm
This sounds more like an encounter with a CB than a Cat event.
Either outflow from the cell or catching the top.
TSB statement 2.5 months later.
Class 5 incident so no further report.
Yes, it would be nice to know if they went through a CB as Jetstream turbulence seems less likely down that way, especially in the summer. I suppose a real keener could look up the historic SigWx charts for that day.
"C-FNNH, an Air Canada Boeing 777-233LR was operating as flight ACA033 from Vancouver
(CYVR), BC to Sydney (YSSY), Australia with 15 crew members and 269 passengers on board.
Approximately 7 hours into the flight (ADOWA waypoint; 640 nm sw of Honolulu, Hawaii) the
aircraft encountered severe turbulence at FL340 for 10 to 15 seconds. During the encounter
several passengers and some cabin crew were thrown in to the ceiling of the cabin. In total, 37
people (31 passengers and 6 cabin crew) identified that they had sustained sprains, strains, cuts
and bruises. The flight crew decided to divert to Honolulu (PHNL), Hawaii which was approximately
2 hours away. While en route to PHNL, first aid was given by the cabin crew and voluntary medical
professionals that were passengers on ACA033. In preparation for landing, fuel was dumped and
EMS was positioned to meet the aircraft.
Maintenance conducted a severe turbulence inspection and no faults were found. There was
damage to interior components and cabin furnishings where passengers and cabin crew had come
into contact with those items."