New Zealand: Plane's plunge injures 8

AUCKLAND -- Seven Korean passengers smashed into overhead lockers when their New Zealand-bound airliner plummeted up to 100m during severe turbulence yesterday.

The passengers and a crew member suffered chest, neck, back, and leg injuries when the Korean Air Boeing 777 struck heavy clear-air turbulence about five hours after take-off from Seoul. The other 279 passengers were unharmed.

Clear-air turbulence occurs when a plane hits a sudden change in air conditions in no cloud - much like a boat hitting a huge wave.

The plane was 10,058m (33,000ft) over the Equator and the terror lasted several seconds. Several factors, including different temperatures or pressures in an area, can cause clear-air turbulence, which is sometimes associated with jet streams between Australia and Indonesia.

Ambulances took the eight injured to Middlemore Hospital's emergency department after Flight KE823 landed in Auckland at 10.20am. The injuries were minor.

One passenger suffering chest injuries was admitted overnight for observation.

It is understood the injured passengers had their seat belts undone or were walking about or going to the toilet.

http://www.press.co.nz/2000/16/000418n06.htm

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), April 19, 2000