Passengers on board a flight in Colombia experienced frightening moments when a heavy thunderstorm caused severe turbulence and forced the plane to be diverted to Cartagena.
The dramatic incident, captured on camera by passenger Zuleima Ebratt, shows the terrifying moments as she and another passenger prayed amid the chaos. The crew’s urgent pleas over the intercom for passengers to fasten their seat belts and stay seated added to the sense of urgency and panic. A call for medical help underscored the seriousness of the situation.
Avianca, Colombia’s largest airline, said in a statement: “Due to bad weather around Barranquilla airport, turbulence occurred so the captain decided to divert to Cartagena airport.”
The plane landed safely at Rafael Nunez International Airport, where passengers were immediately assisted before the flight resumed. Ebratt described the ordeal as a “very panicky moment” with many fearing the worst.
Turbulence occurs when an aircraft encounters irregular air movements. According to Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather’s Director of Forecast Operations, turbulence and wind gusts can be caused by many different factors.
“Turbulence, when you fly, can occur in different weather conditions. It can occur in stormy weather and also in clear skies, where wind variations at different heights in the atmosphere can cause it.”
Given these sudden circumstances, it is crucial that passengers take proactive measures to ensure their safety. Experts recommend always wearing your seat belt, stowing loose items safely, and staying hydrated to help cope with the stress of turbulence.
“There are cases of severe turbulence that can damage the aircraft or cause injuries,” DePodwin said. “That’s pretty rare. That’s why we don’t hear about it very often. There are tens of thousands of flights every day. Most of them don’t have any problems at all, but in certain cases the atmosphere can cause turbulence issues when flying near or through storms.”
Although such serious cases are rare, the potential for turbulence-related incidents is a warning to remain vigilant while flying.
While turbulence can be a frightening experience, understanding its causes and knowing how to stay safe can help minimize its impact. By following simple safety precautions and staying up-to-date on weather conditions, passengers can travel with greater peace of mind.
