Two people suffer broken ankles after turbulence on BA flight to Heathrow

Two people onboard a British Airways flight from Los Angeles to Heathrow suffered broken ankles after the aircraft encountered turbulence near Greenland, according to Independent.co. The incident occurred on 6 December 2024, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said in a report published on 8 January 2026.

The report states the crew had received briefing documents before departure saying there were no significant weather warnings, but later observed on a live weather app that "potentially severe turbulence" was developing south of Greenland. Before reaching the area the captain switched on the seat belt sign and asked cabin crew to secure equipment and take their own seats; about 20 minutes later an episode of turbulence lasting approximately 10 to 15 seconds occurred.

During the turbulence a cabin crew member lowering her seat was lifted and fell, breaking her ankle, and a passenger on the upper deck said he had left his seat for the toilet and that a sudden movement broke his ankle. A third passenger lost consciousness; two other passengers who declared themselves doctors used splints and provided pain relief while crew sought advice from MedLink.

Key Topics

World, British Airways, Aaib, Medlink, Los Angeles, Heathrow