What should have been a short, uneventful hop between two Texas cities turned into a harrowing mid-air ordeal that passengers say they’ll never forget. A United Express flight, operated by SkyWest and bound for Houston, hit such violent turbulence that travelers were thrown from their seats, belongings flew through the cabin, and one passenger was slammed into the ceiling. Shaken survivors say the chaos unfolded in seconds, leaving them clinging to armrests and praying they’d make it to the ground alive.
Chaos Over Texas Skies
According to passengers, the turbulence struck without warning. The aircraft suddenly jolted with explosive force, sending overhead bins rattling and unsecured items airborne. Several travelers screamed as the plane lurched downward, while others held tightly to their seats, white-knuckled with fear.
One passenger, still stunned after landing, described the terrifying moment in raw detail. “I hit the ceiling, it felt like free fall. I honestly thought I was going to die,” they said, recalling the weightless sensation before crashing back into their seat.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the pilot declared an emergency and diverted the flight back to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where ambulances and fire crews waited on the tarmac. Though no passengers suffered life-threatening injuries, some walked away with bruises, and everyone had a story that still felt surreal hours later…