Passengers on a Eurowings flight got a terrifying scare when their plane suddenly dropped mid-air after reportedly being hit by wake turbulence from a massive Emirates Airbus A380.
The frightening incident happened Saturday, May 30, as Eurowings Flight 635 was traveling from Rhodes, Greece, to Cologne, Germany.
The Airbus A320-200 had 157 passengers on board and was flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina at around 36,000 feet when the crew received clearance to climb another 2,000 feet, according to aviation reports.
At almost the same time, an Emirates Airbus A380-800, the world’s largest double-decker passenger plane, was flying ahead of the Eurowings aircraft on its way from Dubai to London.
The Emirates jet was reportedly flying at 38,000 feet and was about 7.6 nautical miles, or roughly nine miles, in front of the Eurowings plane.
Then came the sudden drop.
The Eurowings aircraft reportedly stopped climbing and began descending at a rate of around 3,000 feet per minute before regaining control at about 36,000 feet.
Eurowings later confirmed the incident, saying the plane had experienced “brief wake turbulence.”
Wake turbulence is something every aircraft creates while flying. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, it happens when an aircraft produces lift and leaves behind two powerful, rotating air currents that trail behind it.
In simple terms, they are like invisible tornadoes in the sky.
For smaller aircraft following behind larger planes, those invisible air currents can be dangerous. They can jolt a plane, throw people around the cabin and even injure passengers or crew.
The size, speed, wingspan and shape of the plane ahead all help determine how powerful the wake turbulence can be. Larger aircraft, especially those labeled “heavy” or “super,” require extra caution and separation.
In this case, the planes were reportedly operating within international spacing guidelines. The International Civil Aviation Organization calls for at least seven nautical miles of lateral separation when one aircraft climbs or descends through the level of another. The Eurowings and Emirates planes were reportedly separated by about 7.6 nautical miles.
But despite that distance, the Eurowings flight still hit the wake.
The incident left five passengers and one flight attendant with minor injuries, according to aviation reports. The flight attendant was reportedly thrown against the cabin ceiling during the turbulence.
Despite the scare, the plane continued on to Cologne Bonn Airport, where medical personnel were waiting when it landed.
“The affected passengers and crew member were met and treated by medical personnel immediately after landing,” a Eurowings spokesperson said. “We regret the incident and wish those affected a speedy recovery.”
The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation confirmed that the incident has been reported. Officials said they expect to work with authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who will likely lead the investigation.
Emirates has been contacted for comment.
