A United Airlines flight carrying 256 passengers on its way to Washington, D.C., crashed in midair, causing numerous injuries and necessitating an emergency landing.#News #Airplane #Accident #Washington DC
Washington, D.C.When a Boeing 787-800 crashed in midair, a normal overnight trip became a horrific ordeal that left passengers and crew stunned and injured. When tragedy occurred, United Airlines Flight 613 was en route to Washington, D.C., with 245 passengers and 11 crew members. Approximately ninety-three minutes into the flight, the plane abruptly lost altitude, hurling possessions, meal trays, and luggage all over the cabin. The terror and pandemonium that broke out were captured in recordings that distressed passengers posted online.
Emergency Return to Lagos
Late Thursday night, Flight 613 took off from Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Nigeria, Africa, but its trajectory took a sharp change as the aircraft suddenly lost altitude.
Passengers gripped to their seats, anticipating what seemed like an imminent catastrophe as loose objects flew through the cabin. At 3:22 a.m. on Friday, pilots successfully regained control and made an emergency return, safely landing in Lagos.
Emergency personnel hurried to help the wounded. Following initial hospitalization for severe injuries, two crew members and four passengers were eventually released. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria reports that five crew members and 27 passengers were minorly injured.
United Airlines Investigates the Sudden Descent
United Airlines admitted to the event and explained that the jet had to be returned to fix a technical problem.
The airline explained that turbulence, a frequent worry of passengers, was not the cause of the quick descent.
Investigations are being conducted, officials stated, with United collaborating closely with U.S. and Nigerian aviation authorities to determine the reason of the sudden altitude decrease.
Because the occurrence resembled another incident involving the same aircraft model earlier in the week, it prompted worries.
The same Boeing 787 was diverted during a similar flight from Lagos to Washington, D.C., just days prior, according to FlightRadar data, when a sudden 1,000-foot drop happened 89 minutes into the trip.
Previous Issues with the Boeing 787
The Boeing 787 has previously been the subject of criticism. A separate midair incident on a Latam Airlines flight in March 2024 prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review the aircraft. In that instance, investigators came to the conclusion that the nose dropped because a defective pilot seat moved forward onto the aircraft’s control column.
The same aircraft model has been involved in two mishaps in less than a week, putting pressure on aviation authorities to decide whether pilot mistake, mechanical failure, or a combination of factors is to blame.
CONNECTED TOPICS: Travel|Airlines|Africa|Accidents|Washington, D.C.
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