NTSB Attributes Severe Turbulence on Hawaiian Airlines Flight to Crew’s Decision

On December 18, 2022, Hawaiian Airlines Flight 35, an Airbus A330-243 en route from Phoenix to Honolulu, experienced severe turbulence approximately 65 nautical miles north-northeast of Kahului, Hawaii. The incident resulted in 36 injuries, including three passengers and a crew member sustaining serious injuries. The NTSB’s investigation revealed that the crew’s decision to fly over an observed storm cell, despite forecasts indicating unstable atmospheric conditions and isolated thunderstorms, was the probable cause of the severe turbulence. Cabin damage included missing ceiling panels, a cracked overhead light, and a broken flight attendant handset. Following the incident, Hawaiian Airlines conducted an internal review and committed to enhancing weather avoidance training for its crews to prevent similar occurrences in the future.