United Airlines (UA) flight 967 (N773UA) from Dulles International Airport (DIA) in Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) diverted to Denver International Airport (DEN) at 7:49 p.m. on Tuesday evening, July 20 with 21 injured passengers and 4 flight attendants, who were tossed about the Boeing 777-222 like rag dolls. The head of one woman smashed into the cabin so hard, it caused a crack above one of the windows. A 12-year-old girl was thrown into the air, bouncing off the ceiling.
CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) Infrared Satellite Image GOES-E Jul 21st 02:15Z, accident time (Graphics: NASA); (BELOW RIGHT) Passenger Kaoma Bechaz shows a photo she took of where the woman sitting next to her slammed into the plane window with her head, leaving a crack. (AP Photo); (BELOW LEFT) One of the injured passengers being taken to a Denver area hospital (AP Photo); (BELOW RIGHT BOTTOM) United flight 967 route map (Graphics from FlightAware.com)
A video of this incident follows this article.
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All of the 255 passengers and 10 crew members were badly shaken by severe turbulence that according to one woman, 19-year-old Kaoma Bechaz from Australia, "left people screaming and yelling." Those fortunate to have their seat belts tightly secured escaped injury.
The aircraft was flying at 34,000 feet over Kansas City, Missouri when violent up drafts that apparently were invisible to the plane's Doppler weather radar, caused chaotic and violent changes in altitude. The pilot in command reported moderate to severe turbulence to FAA flight controllers, and after the incident asked to be diverted to Denver. The flight had left Dulles at 5:27 p.m. EDT.
According to FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor, one person aboard the aircraft was critically injured. There were 21 persons transported to five Denver area hospitals, including Aurora South Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Denver Health Medical Center, Exempla St. Joseph Hospital and the University of Colorado Hospital. They were suffering such trauma injuries as bruises, whiplash, strains and sprains. All have since been released.
FAA officials who inspected the plane after it arrived in Denver reported interior damage to overhead
bins and arm rests, but no external damage to the aircraft, which was taken out of service, and placed in a hanger for further inspection.
United spokesman Michael Trevino reported that a special UA flight left Denver at 9:30 p.m. for LAX, carrying many of the passengers on UA flight 967.
This was the third case of injury-causing turbulence for United Airlines this year. In February, 20 people were hurt on a flight from Washington to Tokyo and on May 10 more passengers suffered injuries including broken bones in rough air over the Atlantic. To avoid injuries while aloft, many aviation experts advise always keeping seat belts securely buckled.
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Comments
Fortunately, conditions / outcomes weren't worse..interesting read..
Cheers..
I'm convinced - I always wear my seatbelt and will continue to do so!
Odd choice of words in the article, "Those fortunate to have their seat belts tightly secured escaped injury." I would have said those "intelligent enough." Or those "responsible" enough to the other passengers lest they land on someone else. But I would not have said "fortunate."
If it ever happens that I get hurt by some moron who won't keep his/her seat belt on, they are getting sued - not the airline.
How stupid can you be? (Well, obviously pretty stupid. I travel a lot and see the morons who won't follow simple instructions all the time.)
>"Those fortunate to have their seat belts tightly secured escaped injury."
No, for the most part those who listened to and heeded the flight attendants' advice and remained buckled during the flight, as the Delta FAs say, "because we cannot always predict rought air" were uninjured (certainly some who had remained buckled were en route to the restroom or had other good reasons for being unbelted). Right now we don't know if the FAs made such an announcement on this particular flight, but I would be surprised if they didn't. Speedy recovery to those injured.
Joel, thanks for putting all the news in one basket and providing a very good read!
Good lesson here to always heed the safety advice. Fortunate that the pilots were able to safely guide the plane through the rough patch. Hope the injuries are not too severe.
Great article. I heard about this on the news, but you were much more informative.
This was very well written. I really appreciate having the info as I travel a lot.
Seatbelt always! Great reminder!
I put my seatbelt on as soon as I am seated with my row and it does not come off till the engine shuts off on the ground at my destination.
This was terrible, and thankfully it wasn't as bad as it could have been...these people were really lucky and then some.
I'm definitely a believer in the seat belt! in cars or planes--don't have to tell ME twice! Thanks Joel for sending these notices.
Even with the seat belt fastened, I'm sure this was a scary situation to go through. I rarely unfasten my seat belt, and will be even more vigilant now. I'm glad it wasn't any worse than it turned out to be and that everyone survived this turbulence event!
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