A United Express flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines, made an emergency landing in Waco, Texas, on Sunday after encountering severe turbulence that injured five passengers.
United flight UA5690, was en route from Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when the incident occurred.
The Bombardier CRJ-200, carrying 29 passengers and three crew members, experienced extreme turbulence associated with storm activity.
United Express UA5690 Springfield-Houston
The inflight encounter resulted in injuries among five passengers. These individuals were promptly transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
The unexpected turbulence forced the flight to divert to Waco Regional Airport, where emergency responders were waiting to assist.
SkyWest Airlines and United Airlines released statements confirming the incident. They emphasized their commitment to providing care and support to the affected passengers.
“SkyWest and United Express are working to ensure all customers receive appropriate care following turbulence on flight 5690,” a SkyWest spokesperson stated. “Our focus is on the well-being of our passengers and crew.”
Flight Details
Flight data shows that flight UA5690 had made an on-time departure from Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF). The flight departed at 16:48 local time on 2 March.
The flight had initially climbed to flight level FL270 for the southerly service to Houston. It them climbed to FL270 as it passed Dallas.
Following the diversion and landing, another aircraft was dispatched to Waco to transport the remaining passengers. They were then carried to their final destination in Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the precise cause of the severe turbulence.
The aircraft conducting the UA5690 regional service was a Bombardier CRJ-200, registered N920EV. This is a 21.9 year old regional jet belonging to the carrier United Express.
Weather reports indicate that severe storms were present in the region at the time of the flight. This potentially contributed to the turbulent conditions.
This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the potential for turbulence, even on seemingly routine flights.
Passengers are always advised to keep their seatbelts fastened when seated, regardless of the seatbelt sign’s status. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain the top priority for both SkyWest and United Airlines as they address the aftermath of this incident.
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