A United Airlines flight en route from Cancun, Mexico to Chicago, Illinois was compelled to make an unscheduled landing in Memphis, Tennessee on August 28, 2024. The deviation was due to severe turbulence experienced over Louisiana, which resulted in injuries to seven passengers. One of the injured was taken to a local hospital in a non-critical condition, while the other six opted not to seek medical treatment.
The turbulence hit United Flight 1196, a Boeing 737-900 with 172 passengers and seven crew members onboard, while flying over Louisiana. At the time of the incident, the seatbelt sign was illuminated, and passengers were subjected to intense shaking. This led the pilot to divert the flight to Memphis International Airport.
Upon landing safely at 2:50 p.m. local time, the injured passengers were met by paramedics. The Memphis Fire Department confirmed that the hospitalized passenger was in non-critical condition. The exact nature and extent of the injuries to the remaining six passengers have not been specified but have been reported as minor.
A spokesperson for United Airlines expressed gratitude towards the crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of the employees and customers. “We’re grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers,” said the spokesperson. The flight resumed its path to Chicago a few hours later, where it landed safely.
Although not common, incidents of severe turbulence have been increasing in recent years. A study cited by Fox Business indicates that clear-air turbulence, which does not have visual signs such as clouds, has risen dramatically due to climate change. The study found a 55% increase in such turbulence over the North Atlantic between 1979 and 2020. Projections suggest that by 2050, turbulence could more than double in the mid-Northern Hemisphere.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into the incident to ascertain the exact cause of the turbulence and examine any contributing factors. Likely areas of investigation by the FAA include weather data, aircraft performance, and the crew’s response to the incident.
Passengers who were on the flight described the turbulence as short but intense. Passenger Tyeisha Jefferson initially thought the plane was landing. On realizing it was not, she opened the window blinds and started praying.
Another passenger, Patrick Froh, shared his experience, stating that the turbulence was so severe that the flight attendant almost hit the ceiling. He further mentioned that many passengers were injured and that food was scattered everywhere, staining clothes and the ceiling. Froh described it as one of the most distressing experiences he had ever had on a flight.
Like other airlines, United Airlines consistently advises passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened at all times while seated, even when the seatbelt sign is off. This guidance is particularly important due to the unpredictable nature of clear-air turbulence, which can occur without warning and lead to sudden and violent aircraft movements.