On Mar 26th 2026, a Malta Air Boeing 737-800 operating on behalf of Ryanair as flight FR-4132 from Milan Bergamo Airport to Bari encountered severe turbulence during the cruise phase, leaving multiple occupants injured.
The aircraft, registered 9H-QEC, was enroute when it was suddenly struck by intense turbulence, causing violent movement throughout the cabin. Despite the severity of the encounter, the flight crew maintained control and continued the journey.
The aircraft landed safely on runway 25 in Bari approximately 75 minutes after departure, where emergency services were ready to assist those injured.
According to Italy’s Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo, several occupants sustained injuries during the turbulence event. Due to the seriousness of at least one of those injuries, the occurrence has been officially classified as an accident under international aviation regulations.
In line with International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13 and European safety rules, a formal safety investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances behind the severe turbulence encounter.
Such incidents, while relatively uncommon, can occur unexpectedly and highlight the dangers of clear air turbulence, which often develops without visible warning signs and can catch both crew and passengers off guard.
The investigation will focus on weather conditions, flight path, and onboard procedures to better understand how the event unfolded and whether any additional safety measures could help reduce the risk of similar occurrences in the future.
