Video Shows Aftermath Of Severe Turbulence That Injured 36 Passengers On Flight To Hawaii
11 of those onboard were reported to have serious injuries from the ordeal.
By Reuters — 20 Dec 2022, 06:33 PM
US federal safety officials will launch an investigation into a Hawaiian Airlines flight after severe turbulence injured 36 people aboard, while five people were hospitalised in Houston on Monday, 19 December, after a second flight was rocked by turbulence en route from Brazil
There was no indication that the two instances of turbulence were related. Air travel is exceptionally busy around the world this week due to the winter holidays.
The Hawaiian Airlines flight departed Phoenix and was nearing Honolulu around 10.35am local time on Sunday, 18 December, when it hit the turbulence, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
On Monday, the US National Transportation Safety Board announced it would investigate the incident.
Hawaiian Airlines said in a statement that 36 people had been evaluated at the airport upon landing, and that it was "continuing to support" the 17 passengers and three crew members who were transported to area hospitals for treatment, 11 with serious injuries.
Meanwhile, two passengers and three crew members on a United Airlines flight from Rio de Janeiro were injured early on Monday by turbulence en route to Houston, Texas
Medical personnel brought them to a local hospital with "minor injuries," United Airlines said in a statement.
An ABC News affiliate captured video of ambulances responding to Bush Intercontinental Airport when the United Airlines flight landed. It was reported that the flight hit turbulence while passing over Cancun, Mexico, citing air traffic radio scanners.
Of the 20 people hospitalised after the Hawaiian Airlines flight, 11 were brought to emergency rooms in serious condition, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.
Injuries included head laceration, bruises, and loss of consciousness, the EMS said in a statement. A spokesperson said they had no further updates to provide.
Hawaiian Airlines said in its statement on Monday that it was conducting a thorough inspection of the Airbus A330 aircraft before returning it to service.
