Severe Turbulence on Allegiant Flight from North Carolina to Florida Injures Passengers and Crew

 Severe turbulence during an Allegiant flight from North Carolina to Florida resulted in injuries to two passengers and two flight attendants, as reported by the airline.

The Fear of Air Travelers Realized

The fear of air travelers suddenly came to life as an Allegiant flight encountered such intense turbulence that it sent coffee cups flying and passengers suspended midair.

Introducing the Dreaded Moment

On Wednesday, over a hundred travelers on a flight from North Carolina to Florida experienced their worst nightmare. The plane, identified as Flight 227, operated by Allegiant Air, was hit by severe turbulence, injuring four individuals.

The Aftermath

Upon landing at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Pinellas County, Florida, airport paramedics were there to meet the plane carrying 179 passengers and six crew members. Two passengers and two flight attendants were immediately transported to a hospital for further evaluation. Although the airline did not provide details regarding the hospital or the condition of the injured individuals, it was confirmed that six other passengers were examined by medical personnel on-site and subsequently released. The flight departed from Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and arrived in Florida at approximately 3:45 p.m. local time, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Eye-Witness Accounts of the Turbulence

Elizabeth Spriggs, a passenger who was seated near the back of the aircraft with her son, provided a chilling account of the incident. According to her, the juddering occurred during the final walk-throughs conducted by the crew. The initial shock caused a flight attendant to fall to the ground, and the second shock was a sudden and steep plunge that catapulted the fallen flight attendant into the air. Spriggs described the scene as reminiscent of a scene from "The Matrix," witnessing the flight attendant floating in midair for a brief moment.

Understanding Turbulence

Turbulence, an unsettling phenomenon characterized by unstable air movement, is often caused by shifting winds, including jet streams, thunderstorms, and fronts of cold or warm weather. Its impact on an aircraft can vary from minor disturbances to significant drops in altitude. The FAA advises passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened at all times to prevent injuries.

The Link to Climate Change

Some experts believe that the recent increase in turbulence-related injuries can be attributed to climate change. Rising carbon dioxide emissions have the potential to affect air currents, leading to more unpredictable and intense turbulence. While the overall number of such incidents remains relatively small, the FAA reported that last year witnessed a total of 17 individuals sustaining serious injuries due to rough air—the highest number in over a decade.

Previous Incidents

In March, a Lufthansa flight traveling from Texas to Frankfurt encountered severe turbulence, resulting in seven passengers being hospitalized. Another incident occurred in December, on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu, where approximately three dozen passengers were injured due to turbulence.

Allegiant's Response

Allegiant Air has announced that it will collaborate with federal officials from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the turbulence experienced during the Florida flight. The airline has assured that it will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Testimony of a Passenger

Paul Harris, a fellow passenger, shared his experience with WFLA News Channel 8, a Tampa-based news station. He described how the plane had dropped significantly, causing "several people" to hit the ceiling, including a woman seated in his row.

A Terrifying Plunge

Flight data from FlightAware, a flight-data tracker, reveals that the Allegiant flight departed from Asheville, North Carolina, at 2:14 p.m. and, approximately an hour later, plummeted over 8,000 feet in just two minutes, just 20 minutes prior to its scheduled landing.

A Harrowing Experience

Elizabeth Spriggs summed up the harrowing experience by stating, "We've experienced turbulence before on different trips, but that was terrifying."