A flight marketed by United Airlines Express and operated by SkyWest Airlines yesterday, August 28, from Aspen-Pitkin County to Houston-George Bush experienced severe turbulence, causing the aircraft to descend rapidly (approximately 4,000 feet in 40 seconds).
According to KPRC 2, at least one passenger was injured as a result of this incident.
Flight 5971 was operated by SkyWest Airlines, a United Airlines subcontractor serving several of its regional flights, including within the state of Chicago, Denver, and Houston.
The Embraer E175 aircraft operating on this route, carrying 44 people, including 39 passengers, was forced to make an emergency landing at Austin-Bergstrom around 8:00 p.m. Upon landing, medical personnel quickly intervened to check on the condition of the passengers and crew members. “Two passengers were evacuated to the airport, one on a stretcher,” the same source said.
“An investigation has been opened by the FFA following this horrific incident,” she said.