Overview

• On May 4, 2024, a Qantas Boeing 737-800 hit unexpected severe turbulence during descent into Brisbane, injuring three cabin crew members.
• An ATSB report found the captain did not warn cabin crew of expected turbulence because the severity was not apparent from onboard systems.
• One attendant suffered fractures to the ankle and leg requiring surgery, and two others sustained concussion and facial injuries that went initially undiagnosed.
• During landing four people—two crew and two passengers—remained unrestrained in the rear galley to assist the most seriously injured attendant despite repeated instructions to fasten seatbelts.
• Qantas has introduced mandatory turbulence warnings for cabin staff and required post-incident medical checks by an on-call doctor to address ATSB-flagged safety lapses.