Severe turbulence forces multiple flight diversions in Texas

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Severe turbulence forces multiple flight diversions in Texas

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United Airlines | Wikipedia

By Sky Industry News

Mar 6, 2025

On Sunday, a United Airlines flight from Springfield, Missouri, to Houston, Texas, was diverted to Waco Regional Airport due to severe turbulence. Several other flights were also diverted to Waco after encountering turbulence caused by a nearby storm system.

The incident occurred on March 2 when SkyWest Airlines flight 5690, operating as a United Express flight, departed Springfield Branson National Airport (SGF) at 17:03. The aircraft, a 2003 Bombardier CRJ-200LR with registration N920EV and MSN 7810, was en route to Houston when it encountered severe turbulence over northern Texas.

According to CNN reports, the flight carried 28 passengers and three crew members. It landed safely at Waco Regional Airport (ACT), but five passengers were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The aircraft is expected to resume service on Wednesday with a flight from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (PIB) in Mississippi.

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Emergency responders acted swiftly following the landing. Fox44 News reported that Michael Reisman, interim director of aviation at Waco Regional Airport, said the aircraft landed around 18:30 for an emergency landing due to potential injuries onboard. "City worker's emergency management department was activated very quickly after that," Reisman noted.

Medical personnel evaluated all passengers upon landing and sent five with minor injuries to Baylor Scott and White-Hillcrest hospital for treatment. They were later released and continued their journey to Houston.

In response to the situation, SkyWest issued a statement: "SkyWest and United are making sure all customers get the care they need and dispatched another aircraft to fly the customers from Waco to Houston."

As United does not operate out of Waco Regional Airport regularly, a replacement aircraft was organized for transporting stranded passengers. This second plane arrived with additional personnel and supplies necessary for supporting operations; it departed at about 01:30 on Monday morning.

Other airlines experienced disruptions as well due to turbulent conditions over Texas. Two American Airlines flights bound for Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) were briefly diverted before continuing their routes.