United Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Texas After Severe Turbulence

A United Airlines flight en route to Houston was forced to make an emergency landing in Waco, Texas, after encountering severe turbulence, leaving five passengers injured, according to reports.

The flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines as United Express Flight 5690, took off from Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri on Sunday, March 2. It was originally scheduled to land at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport but was diverted to Waco Regional Airport due to turbulence, local news outlets 25 News and Springfield News-Leader reported.

Upon landing in Waco at 6:28 p.m., emergency responders, including the Waco Fire Department and the McLennan County Office of Emergency Management, assisted passengers. Five individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

Ryan Dirker, emergency management coordinator for McLennan County, confirmed that the flight carried 32 people, including 29 passengers. He noted that while the injured were receiving medical attention, many of the other passengers remained at the airport, arranging their next travel steps.

In a statement to PEOPLE, SkyWest Airlines confirmed the flight’s safe landing and assured that affected passengers were receiving care.

“Medical personnel met and evaluated passengers, and five passengers were transported to the hospital. SkyWest and United are making sure the injured customers get the care they need and are working to line up new transportation options for everyone on this flight.”

Flight tracking data from FlightAware showed that United Flight 5690 departed Springfield at 4:48 p.m., seven minutes ahead of schedule, and landed in Waco 32 minutes ahead of its expected arrival time in Houston.

The emergency landing was part of a series of flight diversions to Waco Regional Airport on Sunday night. Two additional flights, both operated by American Airlines, were rerouted from their original destinations at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport due to weather conditions.

The Interim Director of Aviation, Michael A. Reisman, stated that the United Airlines jet will remain at Waco Regional Airport for one to two days for mechanical inspections before resuming operations.

United Airlines has not yet provided further comments on the incident.

With input from People.