Seven individuals were hospitalized following a United Airlines flight bound for Newark encountering “severe turbulence” on Friday, according to officials.
Incident Details
The flight, originally from Tel Aviv, was scheduled to land at Newark but was diverted to New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) due to what the Federal Aviation Administration described as a “passenger medical emergency.”
Response from United Airlines
United Airlines mentioned that high winds had been noted around Newark in a statement to Business Insider regarding the incident.
Medical Evaluation
New Windsor Emergency Medical Service Chief Michael Bigg reported that the flight crew informed EMS personnel of severe turbulence during landing at Newark, resulting in multiple passengers experiencing nausea and some chest pain. Around 319 individuals were onboard, and seven were transported to a local hospital for observation.
Flight Path and Resumption
Flight tracker data from Flightradar24 indicates the aircraft initially passed over Newark airport but redirected to SWF for landing. After refueling, the flight proceeded to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Tel Aviv Flights and Safety Analysis
United Airlines recently resumed flights between Tel Aviv and Newark in March, following a temporary suspension due to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The airline conducted a safety analysis and expressed intent to adjust schedules based on ongoing developments in Tel Aviv.
Other Flight Diversions and Safety Measures
In a separate incident, a United flight from San Francisco to Paris diverted to Denver due to an engine issue. United’s CEO Scott Kirby highlighted the airline’s commitment to safety, emphasizing ongoing reviews of safety incidents to enhance procedures and training.
