United Airlines Flight Experiences Mid-Air Plunge, Injuring Nearly 40 Passengers

A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight UA613, was involved in a dramatic in-flight incident that resulted in injuries to nearly 40 individuals. The flight, which departed from Nigeria on its way to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., made an emergency landing back in Lagos after experiencing a sudden drop approximately 93 minutes into the journey.

Of the 256 people on board, which included 245 passengers and 11 crew members, 31 passengers and seven crew members sustained minor injuries, while six individuals—four passengers and two crew members—were seriously injured and required hospitalization. The cause of the significant turbulence remains under investigation, although United Airlines has ruled out severe turbulence as a factor.

Witness accounts describe a chaotic scene in the cabin, with belongings scattered as the plane dropped suddenly, leading to a passenger hitting their head on the cabin ceiling. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria reported a prompt response by ground rescue teams following the pilot's distress call.

In a statement, United Airlines has confirmed that those who were hospitalized have since been released. The company is cooperating with aviation authorities in both Nigeria and the United States to determine the reasons behind the incident.