Chaos struck the skies as severe turbulence hit an Alaska Airlines flight, leading to hospitalizations and a dramatic onset of medical emergencies. According to a report by ABC15, the incident occurred Thursday afternoon on a flight from Seattle to Phoenix, resulting in several crew members being taken to the hospital for treatment, though no passengers required hospitalization.
The flight, dubbed Alaska Airlines Flight 700, faced its unexpected turmoil approximately half an hour after its mid-afternoon departure from Seattle amidst clear skies and sudden shifts, with the crew navigating the situation with skill and professionalism, after the landing at Sky Harbor at around 3:10 p.m medical professionals were ready to attend to those affected it was a testament to their training and protocols in place for such unforeseen incidents, an Alaska Airlines statement acknowledged the disruption and distress caused to passengers, extending apologies and affirming support for the crew members as reported by the Seattle Times.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken notice of the event, embarking on an investigation into what caused the severe turbulence on the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. As the FAA reviews the situation, they've also offered guidance on how to maintain safety during turbulence, ensuring that passengers and crew alike can protect themselves from similar situations in the future.
This turbulent event comes on the heels of another unusual incident with Alaska Airlines just a week prior, where a passenger at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, overwhelmed by anxiety, opened an emergency exit and stepped onto the wing of the aircraft, officials and responses ensued swiftly to escort the woman off the wing eventually taking her to a hospital for evaluation according to a KOMO report.
