Can turbulence cause an airplane crash?

[filthiestfis]

Following today's report of a Russian airline falling from the skies as a result of severe turbulence, I am left confused. I have often been reassured that turbulence-no matter how bad- cannot cause a plane accident. I have always been reassured of this wilst flying in a thunderstorm, but now this happens. What is the truth?

[Rebecca611]

Hi, That's what I thought. Heard that information from a Cathay Pacific pilot flying long haul. I've also been on a flight that dropped 10,000 feet due to pressure pockets over Malaysia and it stayed intact and we were all glad to be alive. A plane should take alot of beating.
However, the Russians are apparently confused over the situation as some people say the plane caught fire first. Also it does help if the plane is in good working order before it sets out and if turbulence hits them.

[heathfield]

I'd like to know who reassured you that turbulence cannot cause a plane accident. It can, and it does. It's the reason why airport traffic controllers won't let a plane take off until they're sure that wake turbulence created by the previous aircraft has had time to settle. It's also the reason for the 'high speed stall' condition. This is where a cruising airliner can encounter a sudden headwind, and the nose of the aircraft flips up. The crew response has to be to push forward hard on the stick, apply full power, and hopefully recover control. Nearby uneven terrain can cause downdraughts that can push a low-flying aircraft into the ground. (This could be one reason behind the first reports of the cause of the crash you mention). A British Airways VC10 broke apart in mid-air while passing close to Mount Fuji in Japan. That accident was blamed solely on 'clear air turbulence', (CAT).

[jno]

They're now investigating whether it was hit by lightning that might have knocked out pilot controls.

[delboy3]

hi heathfield, it was a BOAC Boeing 707 which broke up near Mt Fuji (sorry I'm being pedantic, no offence)

The Airbus which crashed onto Belle Harbor in New York in 2001 had followed the turbulence wake of a 747 which caused its rudder to flip (although the pilot caused the crash by over-reacting the controls)

Several other planes have crashed after hitting storm turbulence, especially microbursts, so no, there is no reassurance there. And also, a few planes have been brought down by lightning although this is very rare.

[chazza]

On the news that i watched last night, it was confirmed that the crash was caused by lightning

[filthiestfis]

Yeah sorry-it was hit by lightning. I think what it is here is that Boeing and Airbuses and all recent planes have been designed to absorb lightning strikes without them causing a fire, however the Russian plane that caught fire was a Russian-manufactured Tu-154 that didnt have this protection in place!

[heathfield]

Ooops! You're right, Delboy - a 707 it was!