United Airlines Plane Returns to Lagos After 38 Passengers Injured in Unexpected Movement
A United Airlines flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Washington, D.C., was forced to return to Lagos after 38 passengers were injured in an unexpected aircraft movement, according to officials in Nigeria.
Six of the injured passengers were treated at a hospital for their injuries, which the Nigerian authorities described as “serious.” The other 32 passengers had minor injuries, according to the Nigerian authorities.
United Airlines described the injuries to the six people as “minor,” but did not offer more details on what it said was a “technical issue” or about the extent of the movement or any potential causes.
The airline said it was working with aviation authorities in the U.S. and Nigeria to understand the cause of the incident.
Video and images on social media showed the distress and disarray on the plane, with passengers speaking over one another as food and meal trays were strewed throughout the cabin.
Injured Passengers Describe Traumatic Experience
Passengers on the flight described the experience as traumatic, with some saying they thought the plane was going to crash.
One passenger, who spoke to reporters after the plane landed in Lagos, said that there was a sudden drop in altitude, followed by a loud bang.
“I thought we were going to die,” the passenger said. “I could hear people screaming and crying all around me.”
Another passenger said that the plane shook violently for several minutes before the cabin crew was able to regain control.
“It was the most terrifying experience of my life,” the passenger said.
United Airlines Investigating Incident
United Airlines said it was investigating the incident and working with aviation authorities to determine the cause.
The airline said it was committed to the safety of its passengers and crew and would take all necessary steps to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
The incident is the latest in a series of problems for United Airlines, which has been plagued by flight delays and cancellations in recent months.
In December, the airline was forced to cancel more than 2,000 flights due to a computer glitch. The airline also faced criticism for its handling of a passenger who was forcibly removed from a flight in April.
Conclusion
The incident involving the United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington, D.C., is a reminder of the importance of airline safety. The airline industry must take all necessary steps to prevent similar incidents from happening again.