Saturday, 29 January 2022 06:11

How safe is a plane in turbulence? Why do planes shake in clouds? Here’s what we know

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Erika Fernandez

To avoid accidental injury, the captain turns on the signal "Fasten your seat belts." In case of moderate turbulence, we will also ask for seats and flight attendants. Severe turbulence is the only category of turbulence that can be considered dangerous, as pilots might temporarily lose control of the machine.

The Plane Isn't Going to Crash

Planes are built to withstand most turbulence. And in the case of more extreme turbulence, which would ideally be navigated around, your pilot is able to bring down the plane's speed to a safe velocity, so your plane won't be damaged it passes through the disturbances.

But there are far fewer turbulence related incidents than you might think. According to data from America's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the number of injuries has averaged 33 per year over the last 16 years – in 2017 there were just 17.

As you know clouds consist of tiny water droplets hence they tend to be cooler than the air around it. So whenever an aircraft passes through a cloud the air speed, density and air flow differ greatly than outside the cloud. This change interacts with the wing and creates the shaking effect.

Across the history of aircraft flight around the world planes have been damaged and even broken up when encountering severe thunderstorm clouds in-flight. Some clouds such as the cumulonimbus are definitely a direct danger to aircraft; some clouds simply indicate a potential problem and others have no effect at all.

January 24, 2025

The billion-dollar mistake: Why failed plans create more success stories than perfect ones

Andrea Zanon Discover why failed plans often lead to greater success than perfect ones. Learn…
January 22, 2025

Nigerians compose music, throw lavish party celebrating Trump’s inauguration

On Monday, an unnamed group of Northern Nigerians led by Jamilu Majia and Adams Funtua…
January 19, 2025

3 reasons it's hard to make friends as you get older

When I first moved to New York City, it took me about a year to…
January 25, 2025

Boy scolded for not doing homework reports dad to police for drug use

A 10-year-old boy reprimanded by his father for not completing his homework took revenge on…
January 24, 2025

Boko Haram terrorists kill at least 20 in fresh attack on Borno community

At least 20 fishermen have been killed in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno after Boko…
January 25, 2025

Here’s the latest as Israel-Hamas war enters Day 477

Hamas has added up to 15,000 fighters since start of war, US figures show The…
December 25, 2024

Stem cell therapy to correct heart failure in children could 'transform lives'

Renowned visionary English physician William Harvey wrote in 1651 about how our blood contains all…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: info@newsscrollngr.com Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.