A SkyWest Airlines flight traveling from Springfield, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, was forced to make an emergency landing in Waco, Texas, on Sunday evening after encountering severe turbulence. The turbulence is believed to have been caused by intense thunderstorms in the Fort Worth region, affecting the aircraft's original flight path.
Five individuals onboard, out of a total of 32 including 29 passengers and three crew members, suffered injuries during the incident. They were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention, though authorities noted their injuries were not life-threatening.
Ryan Dirker, emergency management coordinator for McLennan County, confirmed that passengers on the flight were left stranded at Waco Regional Airport after landing. Late on Sunday night, many were still at the airport awaiting arrangements for a replacement flight. Dirker did not specify whether the injured were crew members or passengers.
A spokesperson from SkyWest explained that after the rough landing at Waco Regional Airport, medical professionals evaluated all passengers at the scene, with five of them requiring further medical care. SkyWest and United Airlines, the company under whose brand the flight was operating (United Express), assured the public they were actively assisting injured passengers and making new transportation arrangements for everyone affected.
Michael A. Reisman, interim director of aviation at Waco Regional Airport, said mechanics would inspect the plane, forcing it to remain grounded at least for the next day. Reisman further mentioned that the severe weather conditions also led two additional American Airlines flights to divert to Waco on the same day.
According to the flight-tracking information, SkyWest flight 5690 had been airborne for approximately one hour and forty minutes before safely landing just prior to 6:30 p.m.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
Thoughts are with the injured passengers and their families. May they find strength and support during this difficult time.
Leonardo
These situations are always stressful, but it's reassuring to see everyone working together to ensure the well-being of passengers.
Raphael
May this incident serve as a reminder to prioritize safety and be prepared for unexpected challenges during air travel.
Donatello
This is a reminder of how vulnerable we are when flying. We're placing our lives in the hands of airlines and pilots.
Leonardo
It's concerning that the cause of the turbulence was already known. Why wasn't the flight path adjusted earlier to avoid it?