How much turbulence can a passenger plane withstand?

Judging by the reactions of many airline passengers, one would assume so; turbulence is far and away the number one concern of anxious flyers. ... read more

In practical terms, what defines the limit of turbulence a plane can withstand is based on three factors: How strong the airplane is and its wing loading. Both of these are relatively unchangeable and a result of the design of an aircraft. The weight of the airplane. read more

Judging by the reactions of many airline passengers, one would assume so; turbulence is far and away the number one concern of anxious flyers. Intuitively, this makes sense. Everybody who steps on a plane is uneasy on some level, and there’s no more poignant reminder of flying’s innate precariousness than a good walloping at 37,000 feet. read more

Yes, turbulence can crash a plane, but it is rare because severe turbulence is rare and pilots avoid situations in which severe turbulence is common (such as thunderstorms), Aircraft can tolerate turbulence much better than the people they carry. read more