On Wednesday, a United Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence, leading to an emergency landing in Memphis, Tennessee. The Boeing 737 was flying from Cancún, Mexico, to Chicago when the turbulence hit, causing injuries to several passengers and crew members on board. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of turbulence during flights.
The turbulence struck while the plane was flying over Louisiana, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The unexpected and intense turbulence forced the pilots to divert the flight to Memphis to ensure the safety of everyone on board. The turbulence was severe enough to cause significant concern, prompting the emergency response.
This incident is part of a growing number of turbulence-related disruptions in recent months. In May, a Singapore Airlines flight faced severe turbulence, resulting in one fatality and 71 injuries.
Upon landing in Memphis, paramedics met the aircraft at the gate. Out of the 179 people on board, one passenger was transported to the hospital for treatment, while six others declined medical assistance. The extent of the injuries suffered by the hospitalized passenger remains unknown, according to the Memphis Fire Department.
Despite the unexpected stop in Memphis, the flight eventually continued its journey to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. The aircraft arrived approximately two hours late, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking website. The delay was primarily due to the emergency landing and the necessary medical response.
Turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to passengers and flight attendants in nonfatal accidents, according to the FAA. While serious injuries or deaths from turbulence are rare, the risk remains significant. A study by the University of Reading found that severe turbulence has increased by 55% over the past 40 years, largely due to climate change.
The FAA has announced that it will investigate the turbulence incident involving United Airlines. The investigation will seek to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the severe turbulence that led to the emergency landing in Memphis. This investigation is part of the FAA’s ongoing efforts to improve flight safety and reduce the risks associated with turbulence.
