TOKYO- Japan Airlines (JL) flight JL57 from San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) experienced turbulence over the Pacific Ocean, resulting in a serious injury to a flight attendant.
The Boeing 787-9 continued safely to Tokyo with 185 passengers and 13 crew on board, where authorities later confirmed the injury and opened an investigation.
Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr
Japan Airlines Turbulence Injures Attendant
The aircraft was cruising at FL380 about 650 nautical miles south of Kamchatka when it hit unexpected turbulence.
During the event, a flight attendant who had just finished checking a lavatory was returning to the jump seat after the seat belt sign had been turned on. The impact caused a fracture to the right medial cuneiform bone, which is part of the midfoot, Aviation Herald reported.
Japan’s Ministry of Transport classified the case as an accident. The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) launched a formal investigation to determine the circumstances and review safety procedures. The aircraft landed without further incident in Tokyo approximately three and a half hours later.
Investigators will assess the timeline of events, turbulence data, and cabin procedures. The focus includes crew movements after the seat belt sign activation and turbulence forecasting tools available to flight operations.
Japan Airlines continues to cooperate with regulators and support the injured crew member.
Aviation regulators worldwide advise passengers and crew to remain seated with seat belts fastened whenever possible during cruise. Clear air turbulence often occurs without visual warning and remains one of the leading causes of in-flight injuries.
Photo: By Hawkeye UK – https://www.flickr.com/photos/65001151@N03/48523089111/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81317432
Similar Incident
Japan Airlines reported a cabin crew injury on flight JL22 from Beijing Capital (PEK) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) after the Boeing 787-9 encountered turbulence at cruising altitude.
The aircraft continued to Tokyo Haneda (HND), where it landed safely without further incident, and the crew member later received treatment for a fractured rib.
Turbulence Leads to Cabin Crew Injury
The aircraft was flying at FL410 about 110 nautical miles east of Seoul (ICN) when it experienced sudden lateral movement described as side-to-side rolling.
During the event, a senior flight attendant struck seat 2D and sustained a rib fracture. Although the crew member briefly resumed duty, worsening pain after landing led to medical evaluation and diagnosis.
All 121 passengers and the remaining 10 crew members onboard were uninjured. The flight reached Tokyo as planned, with no operational disruption reported.
Photo: Charles | Flickr
Safety Investigation and Jurisdiction
Because the upset occurred in South Korean airspace, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) holds the authority to determine the level of investigation.
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) also opened an investigation and continues to coordinate with relevant international agencies.
The JTSB listed the case as an accident on September 10, 2024. A progress notice later stated that further technical assessment and consultation were needed, which delayed completion beyond the first year.
Investigators reported calm weather at cruising altitude with no visible storms or cloud formations nearby. The Boeing 787 rolled left to right near waypoint PILIT before brief cabin shaking occurred. The aircraft stabilized quickly and continued normally to Tokyo.
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