Flight horror as plane DROPS 4,400ft in seconds sending passengers to hospital

A pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after passengers were left 'bleeding' when a dropped 4,400ft in just a few seconds.

Two people were rushed to hospital after the Houston-bound United Expressflight operated by SkyWest was forced to make an emergency landing in Austin, Texas after hitting "severe turbulence" on Thursday. At least one passenger was injured after being thrown against the ceiling of theplane, while those on board reported seeing personal belongings being flung around and oxygen masks hanging from the ceiling.

According to flight log reports from, the aircraft began to encounter turbulence around 90 minutes into its journey, causing it to suddenly drop about 4,000 feet in 60 seconds.

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In a recording of live air traffic control audio, the pilot can be heard saying: "We're going to need a stretcher, and there is bleeding as well. SkyWest 5971."

The plane then changed course towards Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, beginning a rapid descent of more than 25,000 feet over the next six minutes.

The plane was met by emergency services upon landing, with 39 passengers and four crew members checked over by ambulance crews.

Two people were taken to hospitals in the area with non-life-threatening injuries.

A spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport told US media: "Austin-Travis County EMS … evaluated 39 passengers and 4 crew members for potential injuries,” an airport spokesperson told CNN.

"Two adult patients were transported to area hospitals out of an abundance of caution. Medical authorities reported to the airport that no injuries are expected to be life-threatening.

"Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of all onboard and we are working with our partner United to assist customers."

It's only the latest incident involving severe turbulence on passenger aircraft, which is estimated to affect roughly one in every 50,000 flights. Last May, 73-year-old Geoffrey Ralph Kitchen from Thornbury, Gloucestershire died after severe turbulence hit a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore, forcing an emergency landing.

The Boeing 777 plane experienced severe turbulence over Myanmar, and data collected from Flightradar showed how the plane suddenly dropped 6,000ft as it approached the coast of Thailand. It made an emergency landing at Bangkok.

One passenger on board the flight said the plane suffered a "dramatic drop", jolting people not wearing a seatbelt were "immediately into the ceiling". Mr Kitchen's wife was among the passengers injured, with six taken to hospital in a critical conditon.