Flying Through Buildups on Descent

[pelmet]

"C-GLDE, an Aerospatiale-Alenia ATR 42-320 aircraft operated by Transwest Air Ltd, departed
Buffalo Narrows (CYVT) SK with 2 flight crew, 1 flight attendant and 7 passengers on board. After
leveling off at 10500 feet ASL while enroute to John G. Diefenbaker (CYXE) SK, the crew began a
descent to 7000 feet ASL. While descending through 8500 feet ASL, the aircraft entered a cumulus
cloud and encountered severe turbulence and a sudden drop in altitude. The flight attendant
sustained serious injury and one passenger sustained minor injury, both of whom were not wearing
a seat belt at the time of the turbulence. The aircraft continued on to CYXE where it landed without
further incident and was met by ambulance.

The operator grounded the aircraft following the incident and an abnormal occurrence inspection
was completed. There were no defects found and the aircraft was returned to service."

I don't know the details about this incident and it was well below ten thousand feet where seat belt signs are usually already on.

But I have noticed a tendency among some pilots, more so in tropical areas where the buildups can be quite high(but not actual thunderstorms), to just press on through some of these clouds while passengers are in line for the toilets and cabin crew still walking around. perhaps they are following a STAR route and cant be bothered to ask for a deviation. As a passenger, I like to be finished with the toilet and back with the seatbelt on, during descent into areas like this. As a pilot, I like to avoid the buildups while cabin crew are still walking around, which can be quite late in the approach.

[valleyboy]

The captain is clearly at fault. It should be obvious that there will be turbulence and he/she should advise the f/a to sit down and strap in. Extra time should be allotted prior to decent to secure the cabin. Descending through cumulus clouds is a pretty common happening. If they have a solid centre the wx radar should be giving you that information as well. Nope - pure and simple, brain fart--

[pelmet]

In some operations, the cabin crew seem to like to have the meal fairly late and are still cleaning up on descent. In certain locations where there are buildups pretty much year-round at certain times of day, you might want to encourage the cabin crew in cruise to do things earlier.

[pelmet]

In some operations, the cabin crew seem to like to have the meal fairly late and are still cleaning up on descent. In certain locations where there are buildups pretty much year-round at certain times of day, you might want to encourage the cabin crew in cruise to do things earlier.

Looks like they tried here but it was too late. Its a fairly long flight, why not just have things set up for things mostly cleaned up by top of descent.

C-FNWD, a Westjet Airlines Ltd Boeing 737 MAX8 was conducting flight WS1246 from
Toronto/Lester B. Pearson Intl. (CYYZ), ON to Tampa Intl. (KTPA), FL. In early descent, flight
crew advised cabin crew to anticipate turbulence in later stages of descent and requested they
secure the cabin early. Approximately 5 minutes later going through 13000 feet, flight encountered
light to moderate turbulence (TCU). A flight attendant suffered serious injuries due to turbulence.
Flight landed in KTPA where flight was met by EMS.

[CL-Skadoo!]

In some operations, the cabin crew seem to like to have the meal fairly late and are still cleaning up on descent. In certain locations where there are buildups pretty much year-round at certain times of day, you might want to encourage the cabin crew in cruise to do things earlier.

I've been on a few well known regionals watching the flight attendants scurry about with the landing gear down on final approach. This stuff doesn't surprise me in the least.

[fish4life]

In some operations, the cabin crew seem to like to have the meal fairly late and are still cleaning up on descent. In certain locations where there are buildups pretty much year-round at certain times of day, you might want to encourage the cabin crew in cruise to do things earlier.

Looks like they tried here but it was too late. Its a fairly long flight, why not just have things set up for things mostly cleaned up by top of descent.

C-FNWD, a Westjet Airlines Ltd Boeing 737 MAX8 was conducting flight WS1246 from
Toronto/Lester B. Pearson Intl. (CYYZ), ON to Tampa Intl. (KTPA), FL. In early descent, flight
crew advised cabin crew to anticipate turbulence in later stages of descent and requested they
secure the cabin early. Approximately 5 minutes later going through 13000 feet, flight encountered
light to moderate turbulence (TCU). A flight attendant suffered serious injuries due to turbulence.
Flight landed in KTPA where flight was met by EMS.

5 minutes should be more than enough time to secure a cabin for descent

[CL-Skadoo!]

In some operations, the cabin crew seem to like to have the meal fairly late and are still cleaning up on descent. In certain locations where there are buildups pretty much year-round at certain times of day, you might want to encourage the cabin crew in cruise to do things earlier.

Looks like they tried here but it was too late. Its a fairly long flight, why not just have things set up for things mostly cleaned up by top of descent.

C-FNWD, a Westjet Airlines Ltd Boeing 737 MAX8 was conducting flight WS1246 from
Toronto/Lester B. Pearson Intl. (CYYZ), ON to Tampa Intl. (KTPA), FL. In early descent, flight
crew advised cabin crew to anticipate turbulence in later stages of descent and requested they
secure the cabin early. Approximately 5 minutes later going through 13000 feet, flight encountered
light to moderate turbulence (TCU). A flight attendant suffered serious injuries due to turbulence.
Flight landed in KTPA where flight was met by EMS.

5 minutes should be more than enough time to secure a cabin for descent

It is unless you've got 150 dolts who can't put their trays up or upright their seats.