A routine flight from the picturesque mountains of Aspen, Colorado, to Houston, Texas, transformed into a scene of airborne terror for passengers aboard a SkyWest Airlines jet. The aircraft, operating as United Express flight 5866, encountered sudden and severe turbulence, resulting in multiple injuries and a dramatic emergency diversion.
The incident occurred on Monday, September 16th, as the Canadair CRJ-700 cruised at altitude. Without warning, the plane was rocked by violent turbulence, turning the cabin into a chaotic and frightening environment.
Chaos in the Cabin
Passengers described a sudden and extreme drop, sending unsecured individuals and objects flying. The force of the turbulence was so powerful that it caused significant damage within the passenger cabin.
"It was absolutely terrifying," one passenger recounted. "One moment it was calm, and the next, people were screaming. Everything happened so fast." Crew members, trained for such emergencies, worked swiftly to secure the cabin and attend to the injured amidst the ongoing instability.
Emergency Landing and Response
The flight crew immediately declared an emergency and diverted to Denver International Airport (DEN). Upon landing at approximately 2:30 p.m., the aircraft was met by a full emergency response team, including paramedics and fire crews.
Initial reports confirmed that several passengers sustained injuries during the event. Those requiring further medical attention were promptly transported to local area hospitals for evaluation and treatment. The exact number and severity of injuries are still being assessed by authorities.
Investigation Underway
Both SkyWest Airlines and United Airlines have acknowledged the incident and stated they are gathering more information. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is likely to review the event, standard procedure for incidents involving passenger injuries.
This alarming event serves as a stark reminder for all air travellers to heed the critical safety instruction to keep seatbelts fastened whenever seated, as turbulence can strike unexpectedly and with immense force.
The aircraft remains on the ground in Denver as the investigation continues.
