26 Injured in Turbulent Flight Headed to LA
On Tuesday evening, United Airlines Flight 967 encountered severe turbulence over Kansas that, according to United spokesman Michael Trevino, injured 26 passengers. Flight 967 was en route to Los Angeles from Dulles International Airport but diverted to Denver after the incident.
Reports indicated that the Boeing 777 was carrying 255 passengers and 10 crewmembers. The injured reportedly consist of four flight attendants and 21 passengers. According to the Denver Post, those injured were taken to five Denver-area hospitals.
After touching down at DIA, officials reportedly inspected the plane and found no damage to the exterior. However, the Denver Post reports interior damage to overhead bins and arm rests.
Thunderstorms were reported in the area according to United spokeswoman Jean Medina.
Passenger Deborah Atwood was quoted in reports as saying "It felt like I had gone down an elevator shaft and hit the bottom and then came back up. It was a brief 5-second [or] 10-second drop."
Les Dorr, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said that the NTSB has opened an investigation into the incident.