Passengers Injured in Severe Turbulence Incident: NTSB Investigating
United Airlines Flight 2323, en route from San Francisco to Honolulu, experienced a sudden and drastic plunge on Monday, February 13th, 2023. The incident caused the Boeing 777 aircraft to drop to just 800 feet above the Pacific Ocean, alarming passengers and causing injuries to some.
According to passenger accounts, the incident occurred approximately three hours into the flight. Passenger Kevin Townsend told reporters that he had just finished watching a movie when he heard a loud noise and felt the plane begin to shake. He then looked out the window and saw the ocean just 800 feet below.
“It was terrifying. I thought we were going to crash,” Townsend said.
Another passenger, Tom Smith, described the scene as chaotic, with people screaming and objects flying around the cabin.
“I saw people flying out of their seats and hitting the ceiling. It was like something out of a movie,” Smith said.
In response to the incident, the pilots immediately took action to regain control of the aircraft and bring it back to a safe altitude. In a statement, United Airlines confirmed that Flight 2323 experienced “severe turbulence” and that several passengers and crew members were injured as a result.
“We are grateful for the swift action of our pilots and crew, who quickly brought the aircraft back to a safe altitude,” the statement read.
The flight crew reported the incident to air traffic control and requested medical assistance for the injured passengers upon arrival in Honolulu. In total, 10 passengers and two crew members were taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of their injuries.
Passengers on the flight praised the actions of the crew, who they say remained calm and professional throughout the ordeal.
“The flight attendants were amazing. They kept us calm and provided medical assistance to those who needed it,” said passenger Emily Tan.
The incident is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB will review data from the flight recorder, interview the flight crew and passengers, and inspect the aircraft to determine the cause of the sudden turbulence.
In the meantime, United Airlines has expressed its gratitude for the swift actions of its crew and the support of the first responders who helped the injured passengers upon arrival in Honolulu. The airline also stated that it will cooperate fully with the NTSB investigation to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew.