United Airlines Flight 613 experienced a terrifying ordeal when the Boeing plane suddenly plunged midair, causing chaos and injuries to nearly 40 passengers onboard. The flight was en route to Washington, DC, from Nigeria when the incident occurred.
The sudden drop of the aircraft, just 93 minutes into the flight, caught everyone onboard off guard. Passengers were jolted as the plane descended rapidly, causing food, trays, and personal items to scatter around the cabin. Dramatic footage shared on social media captured the panic and confusion among passengers during the ordeal.
Due to the emergency situation, the pilot made the decision to turn back to Lagos, Nigeria. Upon landing, it was reported that 31 passengers and seven crew members sustained injuries. Six individuals, including four passengers and two crew members, were seriously injured and had to be hospitalized for treatment.
Local emergency crews were quick to respond, arriving at the scene just four minutes after the distress call from the pilot. Fortunately, all six individuals who were hospitalized have since been released and are recovering.
The cause of the mid-flight incident remains unclear, with severe turbulence already ruled out as a possible factor. United Airlines is cooperating with aviation authorities in the US and Nigeria to investigate the issue further.
Michael Achimugu, Nigeria’s director of public affairs, confirmed the incident and assured the public that there were no fatalities. Affected passengers were provided accommodations in hotels while the situation was being addressed.
Interestingly, this was not the first time the same aircraft had experienced a similar incident. A previous flight from Lagos to Washington Dulles International Airport had to be diverted due to a rapid descent during the journey. Whether these two incidents are connected is still unknown.
As investigations continue, passengers and aviation authorities are eager to uncover the root cause of these frightening incidents to ensure the safety and well-being of all travelers.
