Easyjet A319 near Naples on Sep 1st 2014, severe turbulence injures 3

An Easyjet Airbus A319-100, registration G-EZIM performing flight U2-8529 from London Gatwick,EN (UK) to Naples (Italy) with 154 passengers and 6 crew, was on approach to Naples maintaining FL120 when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence causing altitude deviations of +150 and -100 feet and causing injuries to three flight attendants. The crew decided to divert to Rome Fiumicino where the aircraft landed safely about 35 minutes after the turbulence encounter. The injured flight attendants were taken to a hospital.

Passengers reported the seat belt signs had just been illuminated and the cabin crew made an announcement that they had begun their approach into Naples, when the aircraft encountered the turbulence causing all cabin crew and many passengers, who had not yet fastened their seat belts, to lift off and hit the cabin ceiling. One flight attendant broke her hip and another one was knocked unconscious. A number of passengers were also injured.

The airline reported the aircraft diverted from Naples to Rome due to thunderstorms at Naples. Unfortunately one flight attendant received an injury and was taken care of by paramedics upon arrival in Rome.

Italy's ANSV rated the occurrence a serious incident (editorial note: suggesting minor injuries only) and opened an investigation reporting a number of crew members received injuries and contusions resulting in hospitalization.

On Sep 17th 2014 the French BEA reported in their weekly bulletin quoting ANSV, that the aircraft flew into a cumulonimbus cloud on approach to Naples and encountered moderate/severe turbulence. One flight attendant received a broken rib, two others head injuries. The aircraft diverted to Rome afterwards. One of the flight attendants is still in hospital care. Italy's ANSV is investigating the occurrence rated a serious incident.

Metars:

LIRN 010850Z VRB01KT 9999 FEW020TCU SCT040 25/22 Q1004

LIRN 010820Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW020TCU SCT040 23/21 Q1004

LIRN 010750Z 14004KT 090V210 9999 FEW020CB BKN040 21/20 Q1004 RETSRA

LIRN 010720Z 28011G22KT 230V350 6000 TSRA FEW020CB BKN040 19/19 Q1004

LIRN 010650Z 19007KT 150V230 9999 TS FEW020CB BKN030 25/21 Q1003

LIRN 010620Z 20006KT 160V230 9999 FEW020CB BKN030 25/21 Q1005

LIRN 010550Z 00000KT 9999 FEW020CB BKN030 22/20 Q1005

LIRN 010520Z VRB01KT 6000 FEW020CB BKN030 21/19 Q1006 RERA

LIRN 010450Z 20008G20KT 140V260 5000 RA BKN030 22/20 Q1006

LIRN 010420Z 22006G16KT 190V260 7000 -RA BKN030 24/21 Q1006