A United Airlines flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Chicago was forced to make an emergency landing in Memphis after severe turbulence left seven passengers injured. The unexpected turbulence struck the Boeing 737 on Wednesday, leading to a sudden and unscheduled diversion of the flight.
The Guardian reported that this incident is the latest in a string of similar occurrences affecting the aviation sector. According to United Airlines, the turbulence was intense enough to require the flight’s early termination. Among the injured passengers, one required immediate medical treatment and was transported to a nearby hospital.
In a statement, the airline explained, “United flight 1196 diverted to Memphis after encountering a brief period of severe turbulence while the seatbelt sign was on. Paramedics met the aircraft at the gate and transported one passenger to the hospital.”
This event comes on the heels of a similar incident in May, when a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuries to 71 others. The plane experienced a sudden drop of 54 meters in just five seconds, forcing an emergency landing in Bangkok.
While severe turbulence remains a relatively rare occurrence, experts warn that such incidents may become more common and dangerous due to the worsening global climate crisis and changing weather patterns.
In related news, Boeing, the manufacturer of the affected United Airlines aircraft, has faced significant challenges in recent years. Former Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced in March that he would step down by the end of the year as part of a major management overhaul. However, Calhoun departed earlier than expected, leaving on August 7, 2024.
On August 8, 2024, aerospace veteran Robert Kelly Ortberg took over as Boeing’s new CEO, with the task of restoring the reputation of the troubled U.S. manufacturing giant. Boeing has been grappling with a series of issues over the past five years, including two fatal crashes involving the 737 Max in 2018 and 2019, which claimed 346 lives. These problems have led to multiple safety-related groundings and over $31 billion in cumulative losses.
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