An unexpected bout of severe turbulence led a United Airlines flight en route from Cancun, Mexico to Chicago, Illinois to make an emergency landing in Memphis, Tennessee on August 28, 2024. The turbulence resulted in injuries to seven passengers, with one being taken to a local hospital in non-critical condition. The other six injured passengers turned down medical treatment.
The turbulence struck United Flight 1196, a Boeing 737-900 with 172 passengers and seven crew members on board, as it was flying over Louisiana. Despite the seatbelt sign being on, passengers were subjected to intense shaking, which led the pilot to reroute the flight to Memphis International Airport.
The aircraft touched down safely at 2:50 p.m. local time where paramedics were ready to attend to the injured passengers. The Memphis Fire Department reported that the hospitalized passenger was in non-critical condition. Details regarding the injuries of the other passengers are not clear, but they were reportedly minor.
A United Airlines spokesperson expressed gratitude to the crew for ensuring the safety of the passengers and employees, as stated in a press release. The flight continued its journey to Chicago a few hours later.
Severe turbulence incidents, although uncommon, have been increasing over the years. According to a study cited by Fox Business, clear-air turbulence, which doesn’t have visible signs like clouds, has risen considerably due to climate change. The study showed a 55% increase in clear-air turbulence over the North Atlantic between 1979 and 2020. The study predicts that turbulence could more than double by 2050 in the mid-Northern Hemisphere.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the turbulence, as well as any contributing factors. The probe will likely include an analysis of weather data, aircraft performance, and crew response during the event.
Passengers on the flight described the turbulence as short-lived but intense. One passenger, Tyeisha Jefferson, initially believed the plane was landing. When she realized it wasn’t, she raised the window blinds and started praying.
Patrick Froh, another passenger, recounted that the turbulence was so severe that a flight attendant almost hit the ceiling. Froh mentioned that several passengers were hurt, and food was scattered all over, staining clothes and covering the ceiling. He described it as one of the most distressing experiences he had ever had on a flight.
Like other airlines, United Airlines often encourages passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened whenever they are seated, even when the seatbelt sign is off. This is due to the unpredictable nature of clear-air turbulence, which can occur without any warning and cause abrupt and violent movements of the aircraft.