Eurowings flight from Rhodes to Cologne caught in wake turbulence

The incident occurred on the flight from Rhodes to Cologne when the Eurowings aircraft entered the wake vortices of an Airbus A380. Stern reports that the aircraft with 157 passengers on board was suddenly jolted violently. A flight attendant was apparently thrown against the cabin ceiling.

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports that a total of six minor injuries were recorded during the severe turbulence. After landing in Cologne, five people required medical attention. Aachener Zeitung explains that wake vortices are a treacherous phenomenon: large aircraft such as the A380 generate strong air vortices behind them during flight, which can pose a danger to smaller aircraft that follow.

How wake vortices form

Wake vortices are created by the wingtip vortices of large aircraft and can persist in the air long after a large aircraft has passed through. Particularly at low altitudes and in unfavourable weather conditions, they can lead to significant turbulence. Air traffic controllers normally attempt to prevent such incidents by maintaining distances between aircraft.

The exact circumstances of how the insufficient safety distance occurred have not yet been fully clarified. Rheinische Post reports that investigations are ongoing. The flight was able to land regularly in Cologne after the incident.