A Southwest Airlines passenger plane encountered severe turbulence over the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and made an emergency landing in Florida, injuring two passengers and crew.
Southwest Airlines told FOX Weather in a statement that Flight 4273 was diverted Wednesday morning due to turbulence.
Two people were injured after landing and required medical treatment, according to the Southwest newspaper.
According to data from flightaware.comthe flight departed from New Orleans, louisiana At 6:44 a.m., I was heading to Orlando International Airport.
The plane landed at Tampa International Airport at 8:56 a.m.
“The captain declared an emergency that required a deviation from the submitted flight plan and also requested that paramedics be on standby to assess potential injuries upon the aircraft’s arrival,” Southwest Airlines said in a statement. said.
“Two people were transported to a Tampa Bay area medical facility.”
During the flight from New Orleans, radar showed a severe storm over the Gulf of Mexico. Much of Florida and the East Coast are experiencing thunderstorms and severe weather throughout Wednesday as a cold front moves east.
FOX 8 New Orleans Passengers and flight attendants reported injuries.
Turbulence is a sudden change in airflow.
These irregular movements in the atmosphere create air currents that can shake up plane passengers.
It can be severe enough to cause the plane to become uncontrollable.
Southwest said the customer arrived in Orlando four and a half hours later than scheduled.
“We apologize for the delay in departure and there is no higher priority than the safest operation of all flights,” the airline said in a statement.
The aircraft was inspected by mechanics upon its arrival on the ground, according to the Southwest newspaper.
