What caused the injuries on the British Airways flight?

Unexpected turbulence over the Atlantic caused two individuals to fall and sustain broken ankles.

When did the turbulence incident on the British Airways A380 occur?

The incident occurred in late 2024, with a report detailing the event released in January 2026.

How can passengers stay safe during turbulence on flights?

Passengers should remain seated and buckled when seat belt signs are on, secure belongings, and follow crew instructions.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Ankles Broken: Turbulence Strikes BA Flight Over Atlantic

Ankles Broken: Turbulence Strikes BA Flight Over Atlantic

14 Jan

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Summary

Two individuals sustained broken ankles due to unexpected turbulence.
The incident occurred on a British Airways Airbus A380 over the Atlantic.
A January 2026 report detailed the serious lower leg injuries sustained.

Ankles Broken: Turbulence Strikes BA Flight Over Atlantic

In late 2024, a British Airways flight from Los Angeles to London encountered a severe bout of turbulence over the Atlantic Ocean, south of Greenland. The disruption caused two individuals, a passenger and a crew member, to fall and sustain serious lower leg injuries, including broken ankles. The aircraft, an Airbus A380, was carrying 277 passengers and 24 crew members.

According to a January 2026 report by the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the turbulence occurred unexpectedly despite weather charts forecasting moderate conditions. While crew members received a pre-flight briefing that did not include significant weather warnings, they utilized live weather technology to make critical decisions in the air. These included activating passenger seat belt signs, securing cabin equipment, and ensuring crew members were seated.