Thirty-eight people were injured after a United Airlines flight bound for Washington, D.C., experienced what the airline described as “unexpected aircraft movement.” The incident occurred during United Flight 990, which had departed from Accra, Ghana, and was headed to Dulles International Airport.
Midway through the journey, the aircraft suddenly encountered severe turbulence, causing panic and injuries on board. Passengers described the terrifying moment when the plane abruptly dropped, with unbuckled travelers and items tossed into the air. Flight attendants were among those injured during the sudden jolt.
The pilot declared an emergency and diverted the flight to Lagos, Nigeria, where medical teams were waiting. Emergency responders treated the injured on the ground, with several transported to local hospitals. Fortunately, all injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.
United Airlines released a statement confirming the incident and commending the flight crew for handling the situation professionally. Passengers were provided hotel accommodations while awaiting rebooking on alternative flights to Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. While the cause is still under review, early indications suggest the aircraft encountered unexpected turbulence linked to changing weather patterns over the At
lantic.