On October 21, 2026, United Airlines flight 1157, which had taken off from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, encountered severe turbulence during its descent into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This unprecedented incident resulted in four flight attendants requiring medical attention, with one of them necessitating further treatment at a hospital. Fortunately, all 190 passengers on board reported no injuries.
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As the Boeing 777 approached LAX, turbulence struck unexpectedly while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of approximately 27,000 feet. Passengers aboard the flight reported a jarring drop that led to alarm and unease among those on board. Marly Wadlington, a passenger from San Diego, recounted the experience, stating, “I was watching a movie and all of a sudden we just dropped. It felt like we dropped pretty far. It started shaking, everyone was yelling. We were all super scared.”
Fellow passenger Tami Dandoy from Lake Havasu, Arizona, added to the account by describing the panic in the cabin and detailing a harrowing scene involving a flight attendant, who was visibly injured. “Our butts were not on the seat,” she said, noting that one of the attendants had blood on her head and leg as a result of the turbulence.
According to information gathered through FlightAware, the flight departed Honolulu shortly after 1 p.m. local time and landed at LAX just before 9 p.m. During their descent, the flight’s crew communicated with air traffic control in Los Angeles to report the turbulence incident. Audio recordings from the crew indicated that the severe turbulence lasted just a few seconds but was significant enough to cause injuries to two female flight attendants, aged 62 and 58, as reported by the pilots.
In response to the situation, Los Angeles air traffic control promptly dispatched emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to the gate in preparation for the flight’s arrival. A representative for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the flight landed safely and that the agency is conducting an investigation into the turbulence incident.
A spokesperson for United Airlines stated, “During the descent, the flight encountered turbulence. Four flight attendants were seen by medical personnel, including one being transported to the hospital for further treatment.” The airline assured that none of the passengers sustained any injuries during the unsettling event.
The FAA has committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident to better understand what caused the turbulence and how it affected those on board. Passenger safety remains a top priority for the agency as well as for airlines like United.
In the aftermath of the event, it is not uncommon for airlines to review safety protocols and staff training to prepare for similar situations in the future. Meanwhile, passengers who experienced the turbulence expressed relief that the situation did not result in a more serious outcome.
As investigations continue, flight 1157’s turbulent descent serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travels and the importance of adhering to safety measures during flights. United Airlines and air traffic control, alongside the FAA, will keenly examine the circumstances leading to such turbulence, reinforcing their dedication to passenger safety and comfort in the skies.