Qantas flight attendant breaks leg during turbulence

Sydney Australia March 15, 2016, Boeing 747-400 wearing Qantas Airlines colour scheme, arriving late afternoon at Kingsford Smith airport from Bangkok Thailand, with the city Skyline in the background

A Qantas flight attendant has broken her leg midflight during some unexpected turbulence.

While coming into Canberra from Perth on Tuesday night, when strong winds pushed the plane over its maximum descent speed of 320 knots, reports the Daily Mail.

The pilot tried to slow down by pulling up the plane’s nose, which triggered a glitch in autopilot, causing it to disengage.

The plane suddenly lurched down and back up when a strong wind knocked the aircraft’s pitch angle.

The lurch caught one flight attendant, who was standing at the time, off guard and she was knocked to the ground.

“The force due to the aircraft’s movement resulted in the cabin crew member fracturing her leg,” the Australian Transport Safety Bureau reported.

“The cabin crew member seated in the right rear seat assisted the injured cabin crew member.”

“The force due to the aircraft’s movement resulted in the cabin crew member fracturing her leg.”

“The cabin crew member seated in the right rear seat assisted the injured cabin crew member.”

“The aircraft movement also resulted in a second cabin crew member in the forward galley falling forward and hitting her head on a trolley.”

“She also received injuries to her knees, back and neck.”

None of the passengers were injured and the two attendants were taken to hospital when the plane landed.

According to the report, the autopilot disengaged because the plane had been modified without the pilot knowing.

The Daily Mail says Qantas has since advised pilots not to disengage autopilot when the plane is going too fast.

Qantas also says the pilot performed his duties consistent with his training and expertise.

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