{"id":110297,"date":"2025-08-30T20:24:20","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T14:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=110297"},"modified":"2025-08-30T20:24:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T14:54:26","slug":"united-airlines-flight-suffers-turbulence-2-passengers-injured","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/30\/united-airlines-flight-suffers-turbulence-2-passengers-injured\/","title":{"rendered":"United Airlines Flight Suffers Turbulence, 2 Passengers Seriously Injured"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CHICAGO\u2014<\/strong> United Airlines (UA)<\/a> passengers on Flight 5971 endured a terrifying plunge of nearly 4,000 feet during severe turbulence, leaving some convinced they might not survive. The flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines (OO), diverted to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) after the incident on August 28, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Embraer E175 aircraft had departed Aspen (ASE) for Houston (IAH), but the journey was cut short after the crew declared an emergency near Dallas\u2013Fort Worth (DFW). Passengers reported screams, oxygen masks dropping, and even a menu card lodged in the ceiling until landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: By JacobAviation – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=84714374<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

United Flight Turbulence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Flight 5971 left Aspen at 5:02 pm local time, climbing to a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet. Around 7:27 pm, while crossing airspace near Dallas\u2013Fort Worth, the aircraft hit sudden severe turbulence. Within less than a minute, the jet lost approximately 4,350 feet before regaining stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cockpit crew declared a \u201csquawk 7700\u201d emergency and redirected the flight to Austin. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 18R at AUS around 8:00 pm, where medical personnel were waiting at the gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As per the FAA, out of 43 passengers, two cockpit crew members and two cabin crew, two passengers suffered injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time of the incident, strong evening thunderstorms were active across North Texas. A sagging cold front combined with storm activity often generates dangerous turbulence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aviation experts noted the aircraft likely encountered convectively induced turbulence near the storm edges, or clear-air shear at higher altitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turbulence of this magnitude can cause loose items to become airborne. A striking example came when a United \u201cBistro On Board\u201d menu was found wedged in the cabin ceiling after the flight. Such vertical acceleration explains how items launch upward during sudden drops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight UA5971 was operated by Embraer ERJ-175, registered as N110SY. Further, it is an 11.3-year-old aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce AE 3007 series turbofan engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: By Richard Silagi – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=76300183<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Passenger Experiences and Reports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several passengers recalled the harrowing drop and the panic inside the cabin. One reported that the pilot ordered flight attendants to emergency stations and commanded everyone to don oxygen masks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another passenger described people around them believing the aircraft was about to crash. Social media posts echoed these sentiments, with family members saying their loved ones thought they would not survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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pic.twitter.com\/mQlWFSpFxb<\/a><\/p>— G (@GLane22699) August 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>