{"id":161838,"date":"2026-10-23T21:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T15:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=161838"},"modified":"2026-10-23T14:24:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:54:20","slug":"united-boeing-777-descends-3675-feet-in-minute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/23\/united-boeing-777-descends-3675-feet-in-minute\/","title":{"rendered":"United Boeing 777 Descends 3,675 Feet in One Minute as Turbulence Injures 4 Crew"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CHICAGO-<\/strong> United Airlines (UA)<\/a> flight UA1157 from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu (HNL), to Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles (LAX), encountered severe turbulence during descent on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four flight attendants were injured, one was hospitalized, and none of the 190 passengers were reported hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Boeing 777-200 reportedly descended more than 3,000 feet in about one minute. However, the aircraft was already descending, and further investigation is needed to establish how much of the altitude change resulted from turbulence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that it will investigate the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Happened Aboard United Flight UA1157?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

United Airlines flight UA1157 departed Honolulu at approximately 1:00 PM local time for the 2,539-mile (4,086-kilometer) journey to Los Angeles. The aircraft was a 31-year-old Boeing 777-200 registered as N769UA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It carried 190 passengers and 10 crew members. Flight-tracking records identify N769UA as the aircraft assigned to the service on the incident date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The turbulence reportedly occurred during descent at around 27,000 feet. According to the Los Angeles Times report cited in the original coverage, the aircraft lost more than 3,000 feet in approximately one minute. Flight-tracking information indicated an altitude reduction of about 3,675 feet over that period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recorded altitude change does not establish that the aircraft experienced an uncontrolled fall. Because UA1157 was already descending, investigators must examine the flight data and surrounding conditions before determining the role turbulence played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passengers described unexpected shaking, a falling sensation and alarm throughout the cabin. Marly Wadlington told ABC 7 that she had been watching a movie when the aircraft suddenly dropped and began shaking. Passengers screamed as the turbulence took them by surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other travelers reportedly saw a flight attendant with blood on her head. Four flight attendants ultimately required medical attention, and one was taken to a hospital. United said its injured employees received medical evaluation. No passenger injuries were reported. Coverage by Simple Flying<\/a> also highlighted the injuries and the risks severe turbulence poses to cabin crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The precise cause of the incident remains unconfirmed. According to air traffic control recordings, a pilot suggested that the aircraft may have encountered wake turbulence from another aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wake turbulence consists of disturbed air generated by an aircraft as it moves through the atmosphere. It can affect following aircraft under certain conditions, although the available information does not establish that wake turbulence caused this incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FAA investigation should help clarify the circumstances surrounding the encounter, including the aircraft’s flight path, atmospheric conditions and any relevant turbulence reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other Serious Turbulence Incidents Involving Hawaii Flights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The United Airlines incident follows several serious turbulence encounters involving services to and from Hawaii. These events have resulted in injuries to passengers and crew and demonstrate the importance of turbulence warnings and cabin safety procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date<\/th>Flight<\/th>Route<\/th>Aircraft<\/th>Injuries and outcome<\/th><\/tr>
October 21, 2026<\/td>UA1157<\/td>Honolulu (HNL) to Los Angeles (LAX)<\/td>Boeing 777-200<\/td>Four flight attendants injured; one hospitalized<\/td><\/tr>
June 18, 2024<\/td>UA1273<\/td>San Francisco (SFO) to Kahului, Maui (OGG)<\/td>Boeing 777-200<\/td>Three injured; oxygen masks deployed<\/td><\/tr>
June 29, 2023<\/td>HA451<\/td>Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD)<\/td>Airbus A330<\/td>Seven received medical attention; four reportedly hospitalized<\/td><\/tr>
December 18, 2022<\/td>HA35<\/td>Phoenix (PHX) to Honolulu (HNL)<\/td>Airbus A330-200<\/td>24 injured, including four seriously<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In December 2022, Hawaiian Airlines flight HA35 encountered severe turbulence near Maui while flying from Phoenix to Honolulu. The incident injured 24 people, including four who sustained serious injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) linked the event to convective weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another Hawaiian Airlines<\/a> flight, HA451, encountered turbulence while operating from Honolulu to Sydney in June 2023. Seven people reportedly received medical attention, and four were hospitalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These incidents do not establish that every flight to Hawaii faces an elevated risk of severe turbulence. They do, however, show how rapidly changing atmospheric conditions can create safety challenges on routes crossing the Pacific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is Turbulence Increasing on Flights to Hawaii?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Research suggests that turbulence has increased in some regions, although the scale varies by location and turbulence category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A report by SFGATE cited estimates that turbulence on flights to Hawaii had increased by approximately 10% to 30%. The report connected this trend to atmospheric changes associated with a warming climate. These estimates describe regional trends and do not mean that every route or flight will experience more turbulence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separate research from the University of Reading, published in 2023, examined clear-air turbulence between 1979 and 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study found that the annual duration of severe-or-greater clear-air turbulence at a typical point over the North Atlantic increased by 55%, from 17.7 hours in 1979 to 27.4 hours in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The researchers also identified similar upward trends over other midlatitude regions, including the continental United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear-air turbulence can occur without visible clouds or obvious weather formations. It is particularly challenging because pilots may not be able to identify it through visual observation alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers have associated the broader increase in clear-air turbulence with changes in atmospheric circulation and stronger wind shear linked to climate change. However, the regional research does not establish that climate change caused the turbulence encountered by UA1157.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Shared by Airliners.net User (For Illustrative Purposes Only)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flight Attendants Face Turbulence Injury Risks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Flight attendants are particularly vulnerable to turbulence injuries because their work often requires them to stand or move through the cabin. They serve passengers, secure equipment, collect items and prepare the cabin for landing. Unexpected turbulence can throw them off balance before they have time to sit down or secure themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAA statistics for US commercial airlines recorded 71 crew members and 13 passengers with serious turbulence-related injuries between 2019 and 2024. Crew members accounted for approximately 85% of the 84 injuries represented by those passenger and crew counts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year<\/th>Passenger injuries<\/th>Crew injuries<\/th><\/tr>
2019<\/td>2<\/td>11<\/td><\/tr>
2020<\/td>0<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
2021<\/td>1<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
2022<\/td>4<\/td>13<\/td><\/tr>
2023<\/td>3<\/td>17<\/td><\/tr>
2024<\/td>3<\/td>20<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/td>13<\/td>71<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A separate study published in 2026 examined 136 turbulence-related US aviation accidents involving serious injuries between 2008 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It found that flight attendants were injured in 126 cases, representing approximately 92.6% of the accidents studied. This finding relates to the accidents included in the study, not to all turbulence encounters or every flight attendant injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results show why turbulence presents an occupational safety concern for cabin crew. Unlike seated passengers, flight attendants may be standing in aisles or working in the galley when an unexpected disturbance occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United
Photo: By Kiefer. from Frankfurt, Germany – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=47122623<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous United Incident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

United Airlines has experienced other turbulence incidents involving cabin crew. In February 2024, a United Boeing 777-200 encountered turbulence during its descent into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), seriously injuring three flight attendants who were preparing the cabin for landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NTSB found that the pilots and cabin crew had not been informed of an earlier turbulence report. The case highlighted the importance of timely communication between pilots, air traffic control and cabin crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When flight crews receive relevant turbulence reports early enough, they can assess conditions, adjust procedures and warn cabin crew before the aircraft reaches the affected area. Cabin crew can then stop service, secure equipment and take protective positions when circumstances permit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: By BriYYZ from Toronto, Canada – United Airlines Boeing 777-200 N778UA, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=25906132<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Airlines and Passengers Can Reduce Turbulence Injuries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Airlines use weather forecasts, pilot reports and operational information to identify areas of turbulence and assess potential risks. Flight crews may adjust altitude or routes when conditions and air traffic requirements allow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabin crew can suspend service and instruct passengers to return to their seats when turbulence becomes a concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, turbulence cannot always be predicted precisely, and warnings may not provide enough time for everyone to secure themselves before a sudden encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passengers should keep their seatbelts fastened whenever seated, including when the seatbelt sign is switched off. A properly fastened seatbelt reduces the risk of being thrown from the seat during unexpected turbulence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flight attendants also require clear communication and sufficient time to secure themselves whenever possible. Their duties place them at greater risk because they frequently move around the cabin while passengers remain seated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UA1157 incident reinforces the importance of these precautions. Although the aircraft’s reported altitude change does not establish an uncontrolled fall, the injuries show that severe turbulence can seriously affect cabin safety even during descent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
United Airlines Restricts Crew With Passports From These 29 Countries on Tel Aviv Flights<\/a><\/blockquote>