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"We just dropped": Passengers describe major turbulence on LAX flight
Passengers aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles described a frightening midair experience after the aircraft encountered severe turbulence during its descent, leaving four flight attendants injured and travelers shaken.
United Airlines Flight 1157, traveling from Honolulu to Los Angeles International Airport, experienced the sudden turbulence on Wednesday evening, October 21, 2026. The Boeing 777 landed safely at LAX, but the incident left passengers recounting moments when the plane appeared to drop abruptly.
“I was watching a movie, and all of a sudden we just drop,” passenger Marly Wadlington told ABC7. “And it felt like we dropped pretty far. It started shaking, everyone was yelling. We were all super scared.”
The unexpected jolt reportedly lasted only seconds, but passengers said the sudden movement caused alarm throughout the cabin.
Passengers Recall Sudden Drop and Screaming
Another passenger, Coral Pena, recalled hearing a loud bang before the aircraft appeared to plunge.
“We just started falling, and I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” Pena said.
Some passengers described feeling as though they were briefly lifted out of their seats by the force of the turbulence. One traveler said she later saw a flight attendant with blood on her head and leg, highlighting the severity of the sudden movement.
The plane was carrying approximately 190 passengers and 10 crew members. Although the experience frightened those on board, United Airlines confirmed that no passengers were reported injured.
Four Flight Attendants Receive Medical Attention
After the aircraft landed safely, four flight attendants were evaluated by medical personnel. One was transported to a hospital for further treatment, according to the airline.
The plane remained on the tarmac for a period after landing while the injured crew members received attention and the aircraft waited to reach a gate.
The incident occurred during the final portion of the flight, as the aircraft was descending toward Los Angeles International Airport.
In a radio transmission to air traffic control, the pilot described the turbulence as brief.
“It only lasted a couple of seconds, it felt like wake turbulence, but we're smooth now,” the pilot said.
Wake turbulence can occur when an aircraft encounters swirling air currents generated by another plane. However, the precise cause of the turbulence aboard Flight 1157 had not been confirmed.
FAA Investigates the Incident
The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate the incident. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the turbulence and the injuries sustained by the flight attendants.
While turbulence is a common occurrence during air travel, severe episodes can cause serious injuries, particularly when passengers or crew members are not securely seated or restrained.
Aviation safety experts generally advise passengers to keep their seat belts fastened whenever seated, even when the seat belt sign is turned off, because unexpected turbulence can occur with little warning.
For those aboard Flight 1157, the safe landing brought relief after a frightening experience. But the accounts from passengers underscore how quickly conditions can change during a flight, turning an otherwise routine journey into a sudden midair emergency.
Source: ABC7
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