Severe Descent Turbulence Leaves At Least Two Attendants Injured
Severe turbulence during descent injured at least two flight attendants on a Honolulu-to-Los Angeles flight.
Event / Disaster
United Airlines Flight 1157 Turbulence
On October 21, 2026, United Airlines Flight 1157, a Boeing 777 traveling from Honolulu to Los Angeles, encountered turbulence during descent into Los Angeles International Airport, during which the aircraft dropped as much as 3,675 feet in one minute. Four flight attendants were evaluated by medical personnel, at least two with neck and back injuries, and one was hospitalized. United stated no customers were injured. The aircraft landed about 20 minutes late and remained on the tarmac for at least 30 minutes while awaiting a gate. The pilot's transmission and flight audio indicated the turbulence was consistent with wake turbulence and lasted only a few seconds.
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2026-10-23 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 23 Oct, 00:53 UTC
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What happened
Boeing 777 descended as much as 3,675 feet in one minute during final 20 minutes of flight
Flight data showed that the Boeing 777 operating United Airlines Flight 1157 descended as much as 3,675 feet in one minute during the final roughly 20 minutes of the flight, before landing at Los Angeles International Airport.
Aircraft remains on tarmac at least 30 minutes with injured flight attendants aboard
After landing at Los Angeles International Airport, the aircraft remained on the tarmac for at least 30 minutes while the injured flight attendants stayed onboard and the plane waited for a gate.
Four United Airlines flight attendants evaluated after severe turbulence; at least two suffered neck and back injuries
Four United Airlines flight attendants were evaluated by medical personnel after severe turbulence during the descent of Flight 1157. At least two suffered neck and back injuries, and one was taken to a hospital for further treatment. United Airlines stated that no customers were injured.
United Airlines Flight 1157 departs Honolulu for Los Angeles with 190 passengers and 10 crew
United Airlines Flight 1157, a Boeing 777, departed Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu for Los Angeles around 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, carrying 190 passengers and 10 crew members.
Severe turbulence strikes Flight 1157 during descent into Los Angeles
Flight 1157 encountered severe turbulence during its descent into Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday night. Passengers described a sudden drop accompanied by a loud bang, shaking, and occupants being thrown upward.
Flight crew radio transmission describes turbulence as lasting a few seconds and consistent with wake turbulence
In a radio transmission to air traffic control, a pilot of Flight 1157 stated that the turbulence lasted only a couple of seconds, felt like wake turbulence, and that the aircraft was smooth again. The FAA defines wake turbulence as two counter-rotating vortices produced by one aircraft and later encountered by another, which can create rolling moments exceeding the roll-control authority of the encountering aircraft.
Flight 1157 lands safely at Los Angeles International Airport about 20 minutes late
Flight 1157 landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday night, around 9 p.m. local time, arriving approximately 20 minutes later than scheduled.
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