Full Breakdown
United Flight 1157 Hits Severe Turbulence on Descent, Injuring Four Attendants
By Drooid · · How we work
Turbulence Incident Overview
During the descent of United Airlines Flight 1157 from Honolulu to Los Angeles, the Boeing 777 encountered severe turbulence that caused the aircraft to drop sharply. Passengers described a sudden plunge and loud noises, and the cabin filled with shouting. The aircraft landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport, after which it remained on the tarmac for about half an hour while the injured crew members were attended to.
Flight Details & Injuries
The flight carried 190 passengers and a crew of 10. Four flight attendants sustained injuries; one required hospitalization for neck and back injuries, while the others received medical attention on the aircraft. No passengers were reported injured. Flight-tracking data show the plane lost roughly 3,700 feet in one minute, descending from an altitude of about 22,800 feet to 14,000 feet within two and a half minutes.
Official Statements
United Airlines issued a statement confirming that four flight attendants were injured, that one was hospitalized, and that no passengers were harmed. The airline declined to provide further updates. A pilot, speaking to air-traffic control during the event, described the turbulence as brief, likening it to wake turbulence and noting that the aircraft returned to smooth flight shortly afterward.
Verbatim Quote
- “And it felt like we dropped pretty far. It started shaking, everyone was yelling. We were all super-scared.” — Coral Pena
Data Summary
- Aircraft: Boeing 777
- Flight number: United 1157
- Route: Honolulu (Daniel K. Inouye International Airport) -> Los Angeles (LAX)
- Passengers: 190
- Crew: 10 (including four injured flight attendants)
- Altitude loss: ~3,700 feet in one minute; total drop from 22,800 feet to 14,000 feet in ~2.5 minutes
- Duration on tarmac after landing: >=30 minutes
The incident highlights the potential for sudden, severe turbulence to cause crew injuries even when the aircraft lands without further incident.