Passenger lodged in overhead bin during severe transatlantic turbulence

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Passenger lodged in overhead bin during severe transatlantic turbulence

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Gary Leff Chief Financial Officer | View from the Wing

By Sky Industry News

Jul 2, 2024

On July 2, 2024, a video surfaced showing a passenger lodged in an overhead bin during severe turbulence on Air Europa's flight 45 from Madrid to Montevideo. The Boeing 787-9 encountered the turbulence while cruising above the Atlantic Ocean. Video footage captured inside the cabin shows crew members assisting the passenger out of the bin once the turbulence subsided.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 with registration EC-MTI and built in 2018, diverted safely to Natal International Airport in Brazil after encountering severe turbulence at an altitude of 36,000 feet. According to reports, at least thirty passengers sustained non-critical injuries and the interior of the aircraft was damaged.

JACDEC tweeted about the incident: "Air Europa Boeing 787-9 (EC-MTI, built 2018) safely diverted to Natal-Intl AP(SBSG), Brazil after flight #UX45 from Madrid to Montevideo, Uruguay encountered severe turbulence during cruise flight at 36000 ft. leaving at least 30 persons injured and aircraft interior damaged."

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FL360aero also commented on the incident: "Yet another incident challenging aviation safety that demands definitive solutions. Below are the list and links of 15 recent Turbulence events, as we observe more such phenomenon regularly and globally."

Upon landing in Natal, approximately thirty out of the 345 people on board received treatment for various non-critical injuries. The airline dispatched another Boeing 787 to transport passengers to their final destination.

The video shows only the aftermath of how the passenger ended up in the overhead bin; no footage exists capturing how he initially got there. The unusual angle required for him to become lodged remains unexplained.