Several passengers were injured after a United Airlines Boeing 737 encountered severe turbulence during a flight from Cancún to Chicago. The incident led to the plane diverting to Memphis, Tennessee, where paramedics met the aircraft at the gate. One passenger was transported to the hospital, while six others declined treatment. Five passengers and one cabin crew member sustained minor injuries, according to a Federal Aviation Administration preliminary report.
Recent data from Flightradar24 shows that the flight changed direction about two hours into the journey and made a loop before eventually landing in Chicago, albeit two hours behind schedule. This incident adds to a series of turbulence-related events in the aviation industry, prompting some airlines to revise protocols to mitigate risks.
Korean Air reported a doubling of turbulence incidents in the first quarter of this year compared to 2019. The FAA data indicates that serious injuries due to turbulence are rare, averaging less than 12 cases annually between 2009 and 2022. However, the risks associated with turbulence have garnered increased attention following a recent incident on a Singapore Airlines flight where a passenger died and many others were injured.
Researchers at the University of Reading highlighted in a 2023 study that severe turbulence is becoming more frequent and intense due to the effects of the climate crisis. The warming atmosphere accelerates jet streams and increases friction between air particles, leading to heightened turbulence levels. Over the North Atlantic, the study found a 55% increase in the most severe type of clear air turbulence between 1979 and 2020.
United Airlines and the FAA have yet to provide additional comments on the incident. The aviation industry continues to monitor and address the challenges posed by turbulence to ensure passenger safety and well-being.
