SkyWest flight 5690, operating as United Express from Springfield, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, was diverted for an emergency landing in Waco, Texas, last night due to severe turbulence. According to KHOU, the aircraft, which was initially targeted to land at George Bush Intercontinental Airport at 11:53 p.m., found its descent at Waco Regional Airport instead, reaching the ground at 1:45 a.m. today.
The encounter with unexpected turbulence was a challenging event, with a spokesperson for the Waco Fire Department confirming that the injuries sustained by five hospitalized passengers were not life-threatening. The flight, which included 35 passengers, experienced a disruption caused by unpredictable weather conditions, as per KHOU.
As reported by The Independent, the storm that affected plans and caused significant disruption was localized around Fort Worth, Texas, as reported by the National Weather Service. The 32 individuals on board—29 passengers and three crew members—had five people hospitalized for treatment and evaluation of their injuries, with the aftermath managed by Ryan Dirker, emergency management coordinator for McLennan County.
Passengers experienced extended waits at the airport while they awaited information about a new flight or further instructions, as the aircraft remained in Waco for inspection. Michael A. Reisman, interim director of aviation, told the Springfield News-Leader that two other American Airlines flights were also diverted to Waco due to the same weather conditions. According to FlightAware, the flight landed just before 6:30 p.m., with a flight duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes.
In the aftermath, SkyWest and United Airlines stated they would address the needs of all affected passengers and began arranging alternative travel options, according to statements from both airlines obtained by various news outlets. The details of compensation for disrupted itineraries are still being determined as the situation settles, with passengers temporarily stranded in Waco.
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