A320 crew’s detection of violent convective cell too late for evasive action

Five passengers sustained serious injuries following a severe turbulence event during Air France flight AF740's descent to Corsica, France. The incident occurred as the aircraft, an Airbus A320, encountered a violent convective weather cell that was not detected by the flight crew in time. Investigators are examining why the crew failed to identify the developing storm system prior to its impact. Damage to the jet resulted from the extreme turbulence experienced at approximately 195 miles above sea level. French authorities have been unable to determine the specific reason for the missed detection of the convective cell and subsequent lack of evasive action.