At least 36 passengers were injured on a Hawaiian Airlines flight after their plane encountered “severe turbulence” in route from Phoenix to Honolulu on Sunday. Of those passengers, 20 were taken to the emergency room after landing, with eleven people sustaining serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment following the incident once arriving at Honolulu International Airport.
Hawaiian Airlines Flight 35, an Airbus 330, was carrying 278 passengers and 10 crew members at the time of the incident, which occurred approximately a half hour before landing at Honolulu International Airport. It appears that many passengers were not prepared for the sudden turbulence experienced by the aircraft. Flight attendants reported that coffee and other items had been sent flying throughout the cabin.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into what caused this frightening experience for many passengers onboard the aircraft. NTSB representatives plan to review recordings from both voice recorders as well as cameras inside the cabin to gain insight into how this dangerous situation arose.
The Federal Aviation Administration has recommended that all airlines review safety protocols regarding severe turbulence with employees in order to ensure passenger safety is always prioritized during such unexpected events in flight.
