TORONTO - The Transportation Safety Board is highlighting the importance of seatbelts for air travellers after it investigated a severe turbulence incident on a Toronto-bound flight.
The incident took place on a Dec. 30, 2015 Air Canada flight from Shanghai to Toronto.
The TSB says that before entering an area of forecasted turbulence, the first officer directed that inflight service be stopped and the cabin be secured, seatbelt signs were turned on and several announcements were made asking passengers to fasten their seatbelts.
READ MORE: Air Canada flight turbulence injures 21 passengers
Despite those measures, the TSB says many passengers were not wearing their seatbelts when the flight hit severe turbulence and 21 travellers were injured, one of them seriously.
One passenger, who was out of their seat to use the washroom despite protestations from the flight crew, was thrown into the ceiling and then onto the floor when the flight hit turbulence for the first time.
The TSB investigation found that the flight crew's decision to secure the cabin helped prevent further injuries but it also determined that flight crew were last given training on jet streams and turbulence in 2011 and 2012.
The TSB says if seatbelt announcements do not contain sufficient detailed information on anticipated turbulence, and do not use language that convey the expectation of compliance, then there is a risk that passengers will not immediately fasten their seatbelts.
