The pilots of a United Airlines 737-900ER decided to divert after encountering severe turbulence, which injured several people on board.
This event involves flight UA-1196, which departs from Cancun International Airport (MMUN) in Mexico. The flight’s destination is Chicago O’Hare International (KORD) in the United States and it typically takes just over three hours. United performs this flight daily, departing from Cancun at 12:20 PM.
On the day of this severe turbulence incident, the United flight had 172 passengers and seven crew on board. The flight departed from Cancun on time, using runway 12R. Its flight crew soon levelled off the aircraft at FL340, heading north.
The United 737 reportedly hit turbulence about one hour and 20 minutes into the flight. Crucially, the “Fasten Seatbelts” sign was switched on when the aircraft hit turbulence. Despite the sign, seven people on board were initially reported as suffering injuries.
Turbulence Causes United Flight Injuries and Diversion
At the time it hit turbulence, the United flight was close to New Orleans. After confirming the injuries with their cabin crew, the pilots decided to divert to Memphis International Airport (KMEM).
The turbulence flight landed safely in Memphis using runway 18C, after which the United pilots quickly taxied to a gate. Emergency services at the airport reported that six people had light injuries but refused treatment. However, emergency crews took a seventh person to hospital “with non-critical injuries”.
A later FAA statement indicated that the turbulence had injured a flight attendant and five passengers. The United 737 spent just over two hours on the ground in Memphis before departing again for its original destination in Chicago, with the same flight number.
This turbulence event caused the United flight’s passengers to reach their destination about 3.5 hours late. The aircraft remained in regular service, flying its next sector the following morning.
This is a United Airlines Boeing 737-900ER with tail number N66814. It is about ten-and-a-half years old, and United has been its only operator since it was new. United currently operates 136 737-900ERs and has gradually been replacing them with the 737 MAX-9.
