Was that really "Extreme Turbulence?"
When I check out YouTube videos about inflight turbulence, one thing that stands out is the remarkable number of flights that passengers claim experienced "extreme turbulence." Many people's definition of "extreme" turbulence is anything that scares them. Not unlike the cold remedies that label themselves "severe cold formula." Everyone likes to think that their own cold is "severe," and many passengers want to claim that their embarrassing fright was in reaction to "extreme" turbulence. But was it?
The FAA definition for extreme turbulence states, " Turbulence in which the aircraft is violently tossed about and is practically impossible to control. It may causes structural damage." Pretty wild stuff. But in most of the "extreme turbulence" videos I've seen, there is no sign of the aircraft being damaged nor out of control. Nor did any flight attendants hit the ceiling.
My own personal definition of "extreme turbulence," based on over 50 years flying as a passenger, consists of counting how many oxygen masks dropped down and how many overhead bins popped open. This applies to hard landings as well. In all my personal flying, including commuting daily by air up and down the notorious Colorado Front Range, I have never seen this happen. I did have one hard landing on Delta that injured my lower back, but that was all. (There was no excuse for it, the Atlanta weather was perfect and the pilots were no doubt familiar with the airfield.)
So what did those "extreme turbulence" passengers experience? I would say that in most of these videos, they never went beyond moderate turbulence. Nobody hit the ceiling and no carts were upset. Often, no drinks were even spilled.
If the cabin looks like a war zone upon landing, they probably got into "severe turbulence." If an airliner makes an unscheduled landing after experiencing severe turbulence, it is probably because some lackadaisical passengers thought the "fasten seat belt" sign did not apply to their elite status derrières, and they were tossed around the cabin. (And they promptly went looking for an aviation attorney.) I've never seen this happen either. This type of unscheduled landing is for medical reasons. It is not because the aircraft was damaged.
And by the way, many passengers describe any unscheduled landing as an "emergency landing." Again, it's just another way to dramatize their personal experience that has no grounding in fact. Actual emergency landings are exceedingly rare.
If I do find any airline videos showing true "extreme turbulence," I will be sure to post them to my video gallery link for inflight turbulence. Meanwhile, keep those seat belts fastened!
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