“Flight from Hell” story a stark reminder about inflight turbulence injuries

Flying is one of the safest modes of travel. The odds of being involved in a plane crash are extremely low. In fact, the likelihood of being in a plane crash is 1 in 11 million. However, while flying is relatively safe, injuries can still occur.

In one extreme example from 2019, 37 passengers were hurt during an episode of extreme turbulence on an Air Canada flight from Vancouver to Australia. Nine of these passengers sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization. Turbulence was so extreme that passengers hit the ceiling of the aircraft. Many of the passengers were not seat-belted at the time.

The incident was dubbed the “flight from hell.”

While this may seem like an uncommon event, in-flight turbulence is the leading cause of non-fatal injuries on commercial airlines. The sudden jerking of a plane can cause whiplash injuries, head injuries, trip and falls and even broken bones. Defective components within the plane can add risk to injury, such as a defective latch on an overhead component.

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About the Authors

Liane is committed to representing individuals who have suffered serious personal injuries and to families who have suffered the losses of loved ones. Liane holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor, where she received the Torkin Manes Cohen and Arbus award for combined academic achievement and service to the community, and the Charles J. Clark scholarship for academic excellence and involvement in community and volunteer activities. She was called to the bar in 2013.

To learn more about Liane, please click here.