• Source:JND
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Panic gripped the cabin of SkyWest Flight 5971 after sudden turbulence sent the aircraft plunging thousands of feet, leaving passengers bloodied and shaken. The Embraer jet, operating for United Airlines, was carrying 39 passengers and four crew members when the incident occurred on August 30, 2025. According to reports, the flight departed at 5:02 pm but encountered violent turbulence at around 7:27 pm. Within less than a minute, the jet dropped nearly 4,000 feet, sending passengers and belongings hurtling across the cabin. Blood was seen smeared inside the aircraft as several travellers struck their heads against seats and overhead bins.

In a chilling radio call, one of the pilots urgently alerted air traffic control: “We’re going to need a stretcher, and there is bleeding as well. SkyWest 5971.”

Emergency Diversion To Austin

The pilots quickly diverted the flight to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where emergency crews were already on standby. The aircraft touched down safely at 8 pm. Paramedics rushed on board to assess passengers and crew, evacuating them shortly afterwards. Two adults were transported to local hospitals “out of an abundance of caution,” though officials later confirmed that none of the injuries were life-threatening. Every passenger and crew member was medically evaluated before leaving the airport.

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Passengers Recall Terrifying Ordeal

Passengers described the ordeal as “terrifying” and “shocking.” Many recalled being violently thrown against their seats, with some hitting overhead bins during the plunge. “It felt like the plane just dropped out of the sky,” one traveller told The Daily Beast.

Flight data showed that within six minutes of the turbulence, the jet had descended more than 25,000 feet as pilots quickly redirected to Austin. Aviation experts noted that turbulence-related incidents, while not uncommon, rarely result in such severe injuries.

Austin’s Role As Diversion Hub

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which played a crucial role in the emergency, is a common diversion hub for flights across Texas. With two long runways and full customs facilities, it is frequently selected by airlines during in-flight emergencies. The airport, formerly a US Air Force base, is strategically located within an hour’s flying time of Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

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Following the incident, the continuation of Flight 5971 to Houston was cancelled. Industry analysts pointed to mandatory aircraft inspections and crew duty limits as likely reasons for the cancellation.