11 Injured in Severe Turbulence on Lufthansa Flight from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt
A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8, operating flight LH511 from Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), encountered severe turbulence on November 11, leaving six crew members and five passengers with minor injuries. The turbulence occurred mid-flight, and those injured received medical attention upon landing in Frankfurt on November 12.
Lufthansa's Response to the Incident
Lufthansa confirmed the incident, emphasizing that the safety of the flight was never compromised. A spokesperson stated, "Lufthansa’s Special Assistance Team has been providing support to the affected passengers. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain our top priority." The airline also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
Aircraft Details and Route History
The aircraft involved, a Boeing 747-8 registered as D-ABYP, landed at Frankfurt at 10:53 local time. Despite the incident, the aircraft was cleared for service the following day, departing Frankfurt for San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on November 13 at 10:40 local time.
The Buenos Aires to Frankfurt route is a key part of Lufthansa’s network. The airline operates daily flights on this route using the 747-8, a practice in place since at least November 2014. Lufthansa increased the frequency to seven flights per week in April 2023 to accommodate growing demand.
Lufthansa's South American Operations
In addition to Buenos Aires, Lufthansa serves three other South American destinations: Bogotá (BOG), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), and São Paulo (GRU). The airline’s presence in the region underscores its commitment to maintaining robust connections between Europe and South America.
This turbulence incident highlights the unpredictability of air travel, but Lufthansa’s swift response and adherence to safety protocols ensured the situation was handled effectively.
