Severe Turbulence Injures Seven on United Airlines Flight, Forces Emergency Landing

A United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Memphis on Wednesday after experiencing severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to seven people. The Boeing 737, traveling from Cancún, Mexico, to Chicago, encountered the turbulence while flying over Louisiana.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the turbulence hit the aircraft as it was cruising at altitude. According to United Airlines, the turbulence occurred while the seatbelt sign was on, prompting the emergency diversion to Memphis.

Paramedics met the plane upon arrival and transported one injured passenger to a hospital, though the exact nature of their injuries has not been disclosed. Six other passengers opted to forgo medical treatment, local emergency responders reported. The flight, carrying 179 people including seven crew members, continued to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport after a two-hour delay.

This incident adds to a recent series of turbulence-related disruptions. In May, a Singapore Airlines flight encountered turbulence that killed one passenger and injured 71 others. Last week, two crew members on an EasyJet flight from Corfu to London were hurt by sudden turbulence, and last month, 30 passengers were injured on an Air Europa flight from Madrid to Uruguay due to strong turbulence.

While turbulence-related injuries and fatalities are uncommon, the FAA notes they are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among flight attendants and passengers. A University of Reading study highlighted a 55% increase in severe turbulence over the past 40 years, largely attributed to climate change.

The FAA is currently investigating the United Airlines incident to determine its cause.