Multiple reports indicate that an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Phoenix encountered "severe turbulence" on Thursday afternoon, resulting in injuries to several crew members and one passenger. The flight numbered 700, was forced to declare a medical emergency before landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport around 2:30 p.m. MST.
Upon arrival, medical professionals met the aircraft, treating the injured on the spot. While no passengers required hospitalization, KIRO 7 reported that several crew members were taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. The crew, after landing, handled the situation with the level of professionalism that warranted the airline's commendation.
Alaska Airlines extended apologies to those affected by the incident. "We apologize for any concern this experience may have caused our guests," the airline said in a statement obtained by ABC15. They also appreciated the crew's response and confirmed their support for the employees as they recovered.
Further investigating the cause of the turbulence, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported they will be taking measures to understand better the events that unfolded aboard Flight 700. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 Max 9, experiencing a medical emergency following the severe turbulence, was traveling from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the FAA told KOMO News in a statement, was landed safely at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
No detailed report on the severity of the crew members' injuries has yet been released. Alaska Airlines, meanwhile, assures that it is providing necessary support to the affected crew members.
_N434AS_approaching_Newark_Liberty_International_Airport.jpg){kind=link}