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German Accident Investigation Reinforces Dangers of Wake Turbulence

In January, a German-registered Bombardier Challenger 604 was significantly damaged while two passengers on board the aircraft were severely injured during a wake turbulence encounter over the Arabian Sea. BFU
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Key Takeaways:

  • A Bombardier Challenger 604 suffered severe damage and multiple passenger injuries after unexpectedly encountering extreme wake turbulence from an Airbus A380 over the Arabian Sea.
  • The Challenger lost control, plummeting over 9,000 feet, experiencing extreme G-forces and exceeding structural limits, ultimately deeming the aircraft unairworthy.
  • The incident highlights the need for vigilance regarding wake turbulence, as pilots were unaware it was an A380 and didn't receive an ATC warning, nor did they utilize strategic lateral offset procedures (SLOP).
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An interim accident report published by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation highlights the need for flight crews to remain vigilant for unexpected hazards that might appear even in good weather while in cruise flight.

Rob Mark

Rob Mark is an award-winning journalist, business jet pilot, flight instructor, and blogger.

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