About 100 kilometres from their destination, Qantas pilots detected airframe buffeting — a strong vibration usually associated with separated airflow that can be felt throughout the entire aircraft.
According to the ATSB, an alert known in the industry as a “stick shaker” then occurred, where the controls vibrate as a warning to the pilots that they need to take action or the plane will stall.
The crew turned off auto-pilot to regain control of their Boeing 747 and landed safely in Hong Kong.
Qantas said the captain called ahead for the aircraft to be met by an ambulance on arrival.
Fifteen passengers were treated for minor injuries.
The airline issued a statement describing the incident as turbulence and confirming it would also be conducting its own review of the incident.
The ATSB said it would interview the flight crew before releasing its report in August.
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