Boeing Dreamliner passengers recall terror as turbulence hits hard
3:53 PM EDT, July 2, 2024
Passengers of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Spain to Uruguay recall the terrifying moment they experienced during severe turbulence. Many admitted they thought they would die on the plane. Up to 30 people were injured due to the turbulence.
The Air Europa flight, number UX 045, took off from Madrid's Barajas Airport on Monday, July 1, at 6:27 AM Eastern Time. It did not reach Uruguay. Due to severe turbulence, the plane had to make an emergency landing in the Brazilian city of Natal.
Recordings have surfaced online showing passengers being thrown from their seats into the aisles when the strong turbulence hit the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Suddenly, the plane started to fall, and we all jumped from our seats. Those who did not have seatbelts on were thrown and some hit the ceiling. It lasted about 4 seconds, said Norys, a Venezuelan woman living in Uruguay, to El Observador.
You were aware that you were falling at high speed. And because of that, it felt like it was the end, that you would die. It was like that until we saw on the screen that the plane was starting to ascend, said Juan Pablo, also living in Uruguay, to El Observador.
They were flying a Dreamliner to Uruguay. 20 people were hospitalized
According to Juan Pablo, at least 20 people were taken to Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital in Natal. Some suffered fractures, and another 30 people were injured but did not require hospitalization.
There was chaos at Natal airport. Passengers were stuck there for several hours and began informing others about their experience and criticizing Air Europa via the X platform. No airline representative was on-site, so passengers received responses only through emails or social media.
The "New York Post" obtained a statement from Air Europa. The airline said, "The plane has landed normally and the injuries of varying degrees that were recorded are already being treated."
