Planes can suddenly drop when flying primarily due to turbulence, which occurs when the aircraft encounters disruptive air currents.
Understanding Sudden Drops During Flight
Sudden drops in altitude during flight are typically caused by atmospheric conditions. According to information from the BBC, turbulence happens when a plane flies into air currents. These air currents can cause the aircraft to roll, pitch, or experience a sudden drop.
What Causes Turbulence?
- Air Currents: The main cause identified in the reference is the plane hitting various types of air currents.
- Climate Change: It is also noted that turbulence is said to be becoming more common, potentially linked to climate change.
While turbulence can feel dramatic from inside the cabin, severe events are described by pilots as extremely rare. Pilots are trained on how to react and manage the aircraft when turbulence is encountered.
For more information on what flying during turbulence is like, you can refer to articles such as:
Pilots have shared their experiences with the BBC, detailing their procedures and responses when hitting turbulence, highlighting the rarity of severe incidents.
