On August 28th, 2024, a United Airlines flight from Cancun, Mexico to Chicago O’Hare encountered severe turbulence, forcing an unscheduled diversion to Memphis. The incident occurred while the seatbelt sign was illuminated, leading to injuries among some passengers.
United Airlines flight UA 1196, a Boeing 737, was en route from Cancun to Chicago when it experienced turbulent conditions over Louisiana. The flight, typically a three-hour journey, was carrying over 175 passengers when the turbulence caused six minor injuries and one passenger requiring hospitalization upon landing in Memphis.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of increasing severe turbulence events. Earlier this month, an EVA Air flight from Jakarta to Taiwan experienced turbulence during meal service, injuring six flight attendants. A Southwest Airlines flight from Manchester to Baltimore also encountered turbulence that resulted in serious injuries to a passenger, prompting an FAA investigation. On August 8th, an American Airlines Airbus A321 from Tampa to Charlotte faced unexpected turbulence, injuring four flight attendants.
In response to these incidents, airlines are taking steps to enhance safety measures. Korean Air has removed instant noodles from its economy class menu to prevent burn injuries, and Singapore Airlines has suspended the service of hot drinks and meals when the seatbelt sign is on.
Aviation regulators are also advocating for increased safety measures in light of these events. At a recent summit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), member nations discussed enhancing collaboration among airlines and introduced new guidelines to mitigate turbulence-related incidents.
The rising number of turbulence-related incidents highlights the importance of robust safety measures and a proactive approach to mitigating risk in the aviation industry.
