A United Airlines 787-10 bound for Newark was forced to divert after encountering severe “roller coaster” turbulence during final approach.
United Airlines 787-10 Diverts After Strong Winds, “Roller Coaster” Turbulence Over Newark Scuttle Landing
Heavy winds and turbulence that severely rocked United Airlines flight 85, operated by a Boeing 787-10 jet, forced a diversion from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Orange County, New York. The diversion took place after an aborted landing only 750 feet above the ground at EWR. UA85 had originated in Tel Aviv (TLV).
The Dreamliner was carrying over 300 passengers and the turbulence was described by one passenger as like being on a “Six Flags” roller coaster. As someone who lives not too far from a Six Flags amusement park and is now too old to handle most roller coasters without experiencing extreme nausea (oh how I wish it were not so…), I can certainly relate to why so many passengers felt nauseous and ready to throw up…it’s one of the worst human feelings.
https://twitter.com/BlaiseGomez12/status/1773862514389917719?s=20
Thankfully, only minor injuries were reported with a small handful of passengers hospitalized (some reports say only one, others say seven) and others treated by emergency medical services personnel on the ground at Stewart Airport. That’s a good indicator that almost everyone was wearing a seatbelt during final approach…
As View From The Wing notes, this story is making headlines in traditional media this morning because it involves 1.) United Airlines and 2.) a Boeing jet, but neither Boeing nor United have very much to do with the story…it’s a familiar story of bad weather and another great reminder that turbulence does not always conveniently strike on final approach. It can hit unexpectedly, which is all the more reason to keep your seat belt fasted when seated and limit your time up and about during a flight.
image: New Windsor EMS
“but neither Boeing nor United have very much to do with the story”. I agree but why are both so prominently mentioned in the headline to this story? Please don’t criticize other media outlets when you are doing the same think.
Wby not something like “Jet approaching Neward Airport diverts ….”.
For 10 years I’ve done headlines like this. I always use the airline and specific plane type. It’s not purely for clicks.
Dulles was also getting high winds yesterday and we had a pretty exciting approach and landing with gusts up to 60MPH. They were down to one runway. As well it took them 10 minutes to attach the jet bridge given the wind. I’ll hand it to UA though, even down to one runway they kept operations moving pretty well at IAD.
Aircraft are puny specks of dust at the whim of giant Nature .
What if you were swaying in a cable car during those winds ?
Only a true idiot wouldn’t have their seat belt fastened anytime during a flight other than a restroom visit, let alone during landing. Hard to feel bad for those that don’t listen and have to learn the hard way. And yes, I am against the concept of lap children, they need to be secured as well IMO, way too dangerous.
You are an idiot
Lap children are secured with a seatbelt.
Scanning the headlines related to this event, all mention Boeing and United. High wind is buried in the reporting with a couple dozen motion sickness victims. Bill Maher called the covid news headlines Panic Porn and now it is carried over to Boeing and United. I guess weather isn’t as sexy.
Last Saturday flew from San Juan to Houston, scheduled for about 4 hours. Five and half later we landed at IAH after being buffeted by winds for over 90 minutes over the Gulf of Mexico. It was quite a ride. Kudos to UA pilot for keeping us well informed about the issue, his attempts to resolve and keeping folks calm and quiet. No drama, no irate people, just a full 737-8.
Another DEI pilot?
There are plenty of aircraft incidents to surf through, especially on a website called “Aeroinside.” but they want you to subscribe which I don’t; many incidents happen daily.