Twelve injured in Qatar Airways flight turbulence when jet plunged in storm

An Australian passenger on board the Qatar Airways flight hit by turbulence has relived the terrifying moment the plane dropped.

An Australian passenger has told how she felt a “severe drop” when her Qatar Airways flight suddenly hit severe turbulence while flying from Doha to Dublin.

Just days after the deadly Singapore Airlines incident,Qatar Airways flight QR017 was struck by turbulence, injuring six passengers and six crew members.

Passenger Cheryl Suker told Seven’s The Morning Show how she held on to her husband in fear after the plane dropped.

The plane after landing at Dublin Airport. Picture: Twitter

Passenger Cheryl Suker at Dublin Airport. Picture: Seven News

Seven News reported that passengers who were not wearing their seatbelts were thrown to the roof while some of the cabin crew had badly injured arms and bloodied faces.

“It was quite scary. The plane just seemed to go to a stop — which it didn’t — but then dropped, quite a severe drop,” Ms Suker said.

“It was a little bit worrying each time we felt turbulence again.

“I was hanging on a bit tight to my husband.

“It was a really scary time.”

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner landed safely at Dublin Airport at its scheduled time.

Emergency services, Airport Police and Dublin Airport’s fire and rescue services rushed to Dublin Airport to attend to the injured staff and passengers as the plane taxied on the runway.

In a statement, the DAA (Dublin Airport Authority) said: “Qatar Airways flight QR107 from Doha landed safely as scheduled at Dublin Airport shortly before 13.00 on Sunday.

Passenger Adam Dalton, a game developer, was on the flight and described the aircraft hitting turbulence “like a rollercoaster drop.”

He added that food and drink were sent flying through the aircraft.

“All a bit of a shock,” he said.

A passenger named Tom wrote on X that there was panic when the plane hit turbulence.

“Captain very slow to explain what happened, said was evaluating what to do next, and then didn’t hear another word from him, just kept going to Dublin. Stewards were great after initial panic though,” he said.

15.00 update:⁰⁰Qatar Airways flight QR017 from Doha landed safely as scheduled at Dublin Airport shortly before 13.00 on Sunday. Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency services, including Airport Police and our Fire and Rescue department, due to 6 passengers and 6 crew… pic.twitter.com/6rZjQg5vOb

— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) May 26, 2024

The National Ambulance Service said it received a pre-alert to attend the airport and is “currently on site facilitating and supporting the disembarkment of passengers”.

Qatar Airways said in a statement flight QR107 experienced turbulence while flying over Turkey and an internal investigation was already underway.

“A small number of passengers and crew sustained minor injuries in flight and are now receiving medical attention,” the statement said.

“The safety and security of our passengers and crew are our top priority.

“The matter is now subject to an internal investigation.”

Dublin Airport said on X: “Qatar Airways flight QR017 from Doha landed safely as scheduled at Dublin Airport shortly before 13.00 on Sunday.

“Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency services, including Airport Police and our Fire and Rescue department, due to 6 passengers and 6 crew [12 total] on board reporting injuries after the aircraft experienced turbulence while airborne over Turkey.

“The Dublin Airport team continues to provide full assistance on the ground to passengers and airline staff.”