An unexpected mid-air jolt on a United Airlines flight forced an emergency landing, resulting in multiple injuries. The flight bound for Washington D.C. from Lagos, Nigeria, experienced a technical issue that resulted in a jolting movement. The flight returned to Lagos after multiple people sustained injuries. The technical issue is still under investigation, therefore details are unknown at the moment.
What happened?
A technical issue caused an unexpected aircraft movement, diverting United Airlines flight 613 from Lagos, Nigeria, to Washington, D.C. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft with 245 passengers and 11 crew members on board departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 11:59 pm on 23 January, safely returning to Lagos at 3:22 am on 24 January.
Social media posts showed the chaos that occurred inside the aircraft following the unexpected mid-air jolt. Videos show food, beverages, and personal belongings scattered across the cabin.
United Airlines released a statement describing the situation and stating that an investigation is on the way to establish the technical issue.
“We are working with aviation authorities in the U.S. and Nigeria to understand the cause.”
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria released a statement on Friday regarding the situation. The statement revealed that 4 passengers and 2 crew members sustained serious injuries, while 27 passengers and 5 crew members had minor injuries. The rescue team, consisting of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS), Aviation Medical, and Aviation Security (AVSEC), was waiting at the gate for arrival, managing to respond swiftly and effectively. The security team transported the injured passengers to hospitals, stabilised the passengers with serious injuries, and transferred them to the Duchess Hospital in Ikeja.
Have there been similar situations?
This is not the first time a Boeing 787 was involved in a situation like this. A similar incident occurred in March 2024 when a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 flight from Sydney to Auckland abruptly dropped mid-flight. The drop caused a severe shake for passengers, resulting in 50 people injured. Reports on the incident suggest that the pilot accidentally moved the seat forward, causing the drop.
American Airlines has also experienced another emergency landing recently, in October 2024. American Airlines Airbus A319 had an emergency landing at Washington Dulles Airport due to an engine failure. Luckily in this case, the safety protocol was quick and effective, landing safely in the nearest airport and avoiding any injuries.
What do you think happened on the United Airlines flight? Let us know in the comments below
