An American Airlines flight traveling from Miami to Raleigh-Durham encountered unexpected turbulence on Sunday evening, resulting in injuries to several people onboard and prompting an investigation by federal aviation authorities, FOX News reports.
Flight 1286, operated using an Airbus A321 aircraft, landed safely at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) around 10:50 p.m., according to statements from both American Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airline reported that three crew members and two passengers were taken to a local hospital for treatment following the incident. All were later released.
Emergency crews from RDU Fire Rescue, Wake County, and Durham County met the aircraft upon arrival and transported the injured individuals for medical care.
Passengers on board described the turbulence as sudden and severe. One passenger likened the experience to “being on the top of a roller coaster and going down,” while another reported that personal items and equipment from the drink cart were thrown into the air.
According to American Airlines, the seat belt sign was illuminated at the time the turbulence occurred. Some passengers told local media that the sudden drop in altitude led to injuries, including burns from spilled hot liquids and a possible broken arm. One passenger also said a fellow traveler may have briefly lost consciousness.
The FAA has confirmed that it is investigating the incident.
The event comes amid the peak of the summer travel season, with airlines experiencing increased passenger volumes. While turbulence is a relatively common occurrence in air travel, serious injuries remain rare.
American Airlines said it is cooperating with authorities and extended support to those affected.
