Flight from hell: Severe turbulence hits plane over the Atlantic
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A flight was thrown into chaos when it was hit by turbulence over the Atlantic, leaving passengers thrown around the cabin, screaming and one breaking their nose on the ceiling.
The Aerolíneas Argentinas AR1133 flight took off at 8.21pm on October 18 from Madrid and was heading to Buenos Aires.
But the Airbus A330 that was carrying 271 passengers and 13 crew members was affected by bad turbulence.
Turbulence began around seven hours into the 12-hour flight off the coast of Brazil when the passenger jet sagged and shook around at 11,500 metres (38,000 feet).
The Aerolíneas Argentinas AR1133 flight took off at 7.51pm on October 18 from Madrid and was heading to Buenos Aires. But the Airbus A330 that was carrying 271 passengers and 13 crew members was affected by bad turbulence. Pictured: The cabin after the turbulence
The flight descended into pandemonium, with passengers, most of whom had been sleeping, panicking and food and drinks trolleys thrown around.
Aerolíneas Argentinas said that at the time of the turbulence, seat belt signs were on and an announcement had been made.
But some passengers fumbling for seatbelts or those who were unbuckled at the time hit the ceiling.
Trolleys and bags hurtled through the cabin as the hand luggage compartments opened.
At least 12 people were injured and three of them were later hospitalized with severe injuries. One was left with a broken nose, according to Bild.
The flight did land in Buenos Aires eventually, four-and-a-half hours after the turbulence began.
Passengers who suffered injuries were taken to hospital for treatment. Some were admitted.
Turbulence began around seven hours into the flight off the coast of Brazil when the passenger jet sagged and shook around at 11,500 metres (38,000 feet). The flight descended into pandemonium, with passengers, most of whom had been sleeping, panicking and food and drinks trolleys thrown around. Pictured: An injured woman after the turbulence
Aerolíneas Argentinas said that at the time of the turbulence, seat belt signs were on and an announcement had been made. But some passengers fumbling for seatbelts or those who were unbuckled at the time hit the ceiling. Pictured: Open compartments and oxygen masks after the turbulence
At least 12 people were injured and three of them were later hospitalized with severe injuries. One was left with a broken nose, according to Bild. Pictured: An Aerolineas Argentinas plane (file image)
Speaking to newspaper El Pais, passenger Adrian Torres said: ‘We had flown about seven hours and almost all of us slept, because at that time it was almost three in Spain.
‘The plane started to move a lot and I said to my colleagues, ‘how much turbulence, buckle up!
‘As I fumbled for my seat belt, the plane encountered severe turbulence.’
He explained that the plane then suddenly dropped metres and they shot at the ceiling, leaving him with a small bruise.
Adrian added that the incident left his colleague with a broken nose.
Pictured: A part of the ceiling panelling was destroyed by the turbulence
Pictured: The route of the plane from Madrid to Buenos Aires before the chaos unfolded
Another passenger, Esperanza Borrás, said there was no warning.
She had unbuckled her seatbelt for a short time.
After the turbulence started she hit her head on the ceiling and broke her nasal septum.
The chaos left other passengers injured, suffering cuts and bruises. Some of these were severe.
Turbulence left the Airbus galleys wrecked.
The ceiling panelling was also damaged as passengers were thrown upwards in the chaos.
Pictured: More of the damage caused by the chaotic incident on board the flight from Madrid to Buenos Aires
Aerolíneas Argentinas said in a statement that the seat belt signs were switched on when the turbulence occurred.
The company also said that passengers were warned with an announcement.
But not all of the passengers agree with this version of events.
The statement added that due to the severe turbulence on the flight from Madrid to Ezeiza, nine passengers had to be treated with various minor injuries after the plane landed at Ezeiza airport at 4.30am.
And it confirmed that another three were hospitalised due to their injuries. It also stated that the plane did not suffer significant damage to its structure.