Horror on United flight as massive turbulence leaves flight attendant seriously injured
A United Airlines flight departing San Francisco International Airport for French Polynesia hit turbulence over the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, seriously injuring a flight attendant, according to federal investigators and the airline.
Flight 115, bound for Papeete, encountered what the airline described as “moderate turbulence” while en route. One flight attendant was injured, United said in a statement, adding that no passengers were hurt and the aircraft landed safely, where paramedics met the flight.
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a public docket that the aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 identified as N23994, was en route when the incident occurred. There were 165 people aboard, according to federal records.
The NTSB categorized the event as a turbulence encounter and said the investigation is ongoing.
United did not provide additional details about the condition of the injured crew member.
Turbulence incidents rarely cause serious injuries, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which has found that flight attendants are more likely to be injured because they are often standing or moving through the cabin.
A flight attendant was left seriously injured after a United Airlines flight experienced turbulence while flying over the Pacific Ocean. United Flight 115 was flying from San Francisco International Airport to Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, on Sunday when the incident occurred. The airline and federal investigators said the plane encountered “moderate turbulence” that resulted in one flight attendant suffering injuries. The extent of the injuries to the crew member is not known. United Airlines said that none of the passengers aboard the flight were injured. There were belived to be a total of 165 people aboard. The Boeing 787-9 plane, identified in a National Transportation Safety Board public docket as N23994, managed to safely continue the rest of its journey. Paramedics also treated the injured crew member once the plane landed. As noted by the San Fransico Chronicle, the Federal Aviation Administration states that flight attendants are more likely to be injured during periods of turbulence because they are often standing or moving through the cabin. The NTSB said they are investigating the incident.