Description

On 16 January 2020, an Airbus A380-800 (A6-EEN) being operated by Emirates on a scheduled international passenger flight from Dubai to Johannesburg as EK763 was in the cruise over Mozambique at FL 400 in day VMC with the Captain acting as PF when it entered cloud and encountered unexpectedly severe turbulence. One unsecured passenger was seriously injured and several other passengers and unsecured cabin crew were lifted off their feet with some cabin crew impacting the ceiling or galley equipment but managing to avoid injury. The flight was completed to destination where the seriously injured passenger was hospitalised.

Investigation

A comprehensive Investigation was carried out by the UAE GCAA Air Accident Investigation Sector. Relevant data were obtained from both the FDR and the QAR but as the flight had continued for more than two hours following the turbulence encounter, relevant data from the CVR had been overwritten. Because the FDR was not designed to capture weather radar colour information, it was not possible to make an unequivocal determination of the aircraft flight path relative to the area of greatest weather threat as displayed on the NDs during the turbulence.

Assistance in the analysis of the FDR and CVR data was provided to the Investigation by Airbus. A two pilot crew was flying the aircraft with no relief crew on board or required and the Captain was acting as PF. No information was given on the flying experience of the pilots.