Emergency Landing After Severe Turbulence
Passengers on a SkyWest flight encountered a frightening situation when the aircraft suddenly descended over 4,000 feet in less than a minute, prompting an emergency landing and hospitalization for two individuals.
Approximately 90 minutes into the journey from Aspen, Colorado, to Houston, Texas, SkyWest Flight 5971 encountered severe weather near Fort Worth. This led the plane to drop from a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet to 34,650 feet.
Experiencing the Chaos
The abrupt turbulence shocked the 39 passengers aboard, with reports of at least one individual hitting the ceiling of the cabin. An audio transmission from the flight team revealed a pilot stating, ‘We’re going to need a stretcher, and there is bleeding as well.’
As the aircraft diverted to Austin, about 165 miles from its intended destination, it rapidly descended over 25,000 feet within six minutes, as indicated by data from FlightRadar 24.
Panic in the Cabin
Oxygen masks deployed amidst the turbulence, and personal belongings, including purses, were found scattered throughout the aisles. One passenger recounted the chaos, stating, ‘Someone in front of me hit the ceiling several times,’ adding that another individual seemed to be thrown about the cabin like a ‘rag doll.’
Another passenger described the surprising situation, saying, ‘I looked down and there was a cellphone in my lap that wasn’t mine. I guess it flew up and landed in my lap.’
After the Incident
Following the safe landing, emergency responders assessed all 39 passengers and four crew members for possible injuries. A representative from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport reported that two passengers were taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries ‘out of an abundance of caution.’
A SkyWest spokesperson assured that the airline’s top priority is the safety and well-being of all passengers and that they are cooperating with their partner United Airlines to support those affected. The Daily Mail has reached out to SkyWest and the FAA for further comments.
