Passenger who claimed being ‘thrown up in air’ in turbulence, settles Ryanair case

An Australian pensioner who claimed she injured her ankle when she was allegedly lifted into the air when a Ryanair flight hit turbulence, has settled her High Court action.

Lynette Peucker was “thrown up in the air” when the Ryanair Pisa to Brussels Charleroi flight hit “severe turbulence”, her counsel told the court.

Esmonde Keane SC, instructed by solicitor Damien Conroy, said Ms Peucker was travelling in Europe with her daughter at the time.

At the opening of the action, counsel said the then 65-year old was waiting outside one of the toilets on the plane when the accident happened seven years ago. He said she landed on her left ankle and struck her head against the drinks trolley after the plane hit an area of “unexpected severe turbulence”.

He said on touchdown at Charleroi Airport Ms Peucker was transferred to hospital where she was treated for a fracture and given crutches.

The woman, who joined the court by video link from Australia, had been expected to give evidence. However, following talks between the parties Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds was told the case had been settled and could be struck out.

The terms of the settlement, which includes costs, are confidential.

Earlier in the year, Ms Peucker had been given permission by the High Court to give her evidence by video link after it was told she now has a phobia of flying and also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

The 72-year-old, of Jeffrey Court, Gisborne, South Victoria, Australia, sued Ryanair over the accident on September 12th, 2015.

It was claimed there was a failure to warn her of the impending turbulence and that the seatbelt sign was turned off, permitting her to freely walk down the aircraft aisle when it was allegedly dangerous to do so.

In her proceedings, she alleged she had suffered an extreme and immediate psychological reaction in the form of intense and overwhelming fear as a result of the accident.

Ryanair denied all the claims and contended that, if the incident took place, it was not caused by any act, default, neglect or omission by the airline. It further contended the woman, an experienced air passenger, failed to account for the possibility of turbulence when moving about the aircraft.