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Severe turbulence during descent injured at least two flight attendants on a Honolulu-to-Los Angeles flight.
United Airlines Flight 1157 departed Honolulu for Los Angeles carrying 190 passengers and 10 crew. During descent into Los Angeles, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence. The Boeing 777 descended as much as 3,675 feet in one minute during the final 20 minutes of the flight.
The aircraft landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport about 20 minutes late. Four flight attendants were evaluated, and at least two suffered neck and back injuries. The aircraft remained on the tarmac for at least 30 minutes with the injured flight attendants still aboard.
In a radio transmission, the flight crew described the turbulence as lasting a few seconds and consistent with wake turbulence. The available information does not establish the cause of the turbulence or the reason for the rapid descent.
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From Honolulu Departure to Tarmac Wait: Sequence of Events
The flight departed Honolulu with 190 passengers and 10 crew, bound for Los Angeles. During the final 20 minutes, the Boeing 777 descended as much as 3,675 feet in one minute as severe turbulence struck during descent. It landed about 20 minutes late, then remained on the tarmac for at least 30 minutes while injured flight attendants were still on board.
Crew Describes Brief Turbulence Consistent With Wake Turbulence
According to a flight crew radio transmission, the turbulence lasted only a few seconds and was consistent with wake turbulence. That account presents the event as a short disturbance, while four flight attendants were evaluated and at least two reported neck and back injuries. Readers may weigh the crew's brief description alongside the injury reports and the aircraft's rapid descent.