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Cabin chaos as plane drops 4,400ft in seconds sending screaming passengers to hospital (Image: Gretchen Gilliam)
A pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after passengers were left 'bleeding' when turbulence sent the aircraft plummeting 4,400ft in a matter of seconds.
Two passengers were rushed to hospital when the Houston-bound United Express flight made an emergency landing in Austin, Texas after encountering "severe turbulence" on Thursday. At least one person sustained injuries after being hurled against the aircraft's ceiling, whilst those aboard reported witnessing personal belongings being thrown about and oxygen masks dangling from above.
According to flight log reports, the aircraft began experiencing turbulence approximately 90 minutes into its journey, causing it to suddenly plunge about 4,000 feet in 60 seconds.
In a recording of live air traffic control audio, the pilot can be heard declaring: "We're going to need a stretcher, and there is bleeding as well. SkyWest 5971."
The aircraft then diverted towards Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, commencing a rapid descent of more than 25,000 feet over the following six minutes, reports the Mirror.
Cabin chaos as plane drops 4,400ft in seconds sending screaming passengers to hospital (Image: Gretchen Gilliam)
Emergency services met the plane upon touchdown, with 39 passengers and four crew members examined by paramedic teams.
Two people were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
A spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport told US media: "Austin-Travis County EMS ... evaluated 39 passengers and 4 crew members for potential injuries," an airport spokesperson told CNN. "Two adult patients were transported to area hospitals out of an abundance of caution. Medical authorities reported to the airport that no injuries are expected to be life-threatening.
"Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of all onboard and we are working with our partner United to assist customers."
This marks just the most recent episode involving brutal turbulence on commercial aircraft, which experts estimate strikes approximately one in every 50,000 flights.
Last May, 73-year-old Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen from Thornbury, Gloucestershire tragically perished when violent turbulence struck a Singapore Airlines flight travelling from London to Singapore, prompting an emergency diversion.
The Boeing 777 aircraft encountered ferocious turbulence whilst flying over Myanmar, with data gathered from Flightradar revealing how the aircraft suddenly plummeted 6,000ft as it neared Thailand's coastline.
The plane executed an emergency touchdown in Bangkok.
A traveller aboard the flight described how the aircraft endured a "dramatic drop", catapulting unbuckled passengers "immediately into the ceiling".
Mr Kitchen's wife was amongst those hurt, with six rushed to hospital in critical condition.
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