A SkyWest Airlines flight was forced to change course and make an emergency landing in Austin, Texas, after intense turbulence injured passengers mid-flight.
SkyWest Flight 5971, operating as United Express, had taken off from Aspen, Colorado, at 4:43 pm on Thursday.
The plane was headed for Houston but was diverted after the aircraft hit unexpected and severe turbulence about 90 minutes into the journey, CNN said.
According to flight data, the plane suddenly dropped about 4,000 feet in just one minute and then continued descending over the next six minutes.
It landed safely at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport shortly after 8 p.m., more than three hours after its scheduled arrival time in Houston.
Upon landing, emergency crews met the plane on the tarmac. "Austin-Travis County EMS evaluated 39 passengers and four crew members for potential injuries," the airport confirmed.
Two adult passengers were taken to nearby hospitals. Officials say their injuries were not life-threatening and that the hospital visits were a precaution.
Two people were injured in a SkyWest Embraer E175 from Aspen (ASE) that diverted to Austin after encountering severe turbulence.
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) August 30, 2025
The SkyWest flight UA5971 to Houston (IAH), operating for United Express, encountered turbulence over Texas on Aug 28.
Aircraft descended from… pic.twitter.com/CH6svapZgL
Passenger Thrown Into Ceiling as SkyWest Flight Faces Severe Turbulence
A video posted by a passenger, Gretchen Gilliam, showed oxygen masks hanging down and personal belongings scattered across the aisle.
In the background, a fellow traveler could be heard saying a man had been thrown upward and hit the ceiling due to the turbulence.
Air traffic control audio captured during the emergency revealed more about the situation.
A crew member could be heard requesting a stretcher at the gate, adding, "There is bleeding as well." When asked if any crew were hurt, the flight attendant responded, "Possibly."
According to FoxBusiness, SkyWest Airlines later released a statement emphasizing their commitment to safety:
"Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of all onboard, and we are working with our partner United to assist customers."
Experts say turbulence can happen with little warning and is often caused by natural forces such as storms or mountainous terrain.
While it is common in air travel, the event on this flight was unusually intense.
Despite the scare, the flight's safe landing and quick medical response helped ensure no serious harm came to those onboard.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet announced if it will investigate the incident.
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