CHICAGO— United Airlines (UA) passengers on Flight 5971 endured a terrifying plunge of nearly 4,000 feet during severe turbulence, leaving some convinced they might not survive. The flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines (OO), diverted to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) after the incident on August 28, 2025.
The Embraer E175 aircraft had departed Aspen (ASE) for Houston (IAH), but the journey was cut short after the crew declared an emergency near Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW). Passengers reported screams, oxygen masks dropping, and even a menu card lodged in the ceiling until landing.
Photo: By JacobAviation – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84714374United Flight Turbulence
Flight 5971 left Aspen at 5:02 pm local time, climbing to a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet. Around 7:27 pm, while crossing airspace near Dallas–Fort Worth, the aircraft hit sudden severe turbulence. Within less than a minute, the jet lost approximately 4,350 feet before regaining stability.
The cockpit crew declared a “squawk 7700” emergency and redirected the flight to Austin. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 18R at AUS around 8:00 pm, where medical personnel were waiting at the gate.
As per the FAA, out of 43 passengers, two cockpit crew members and two cabin crew, two passengers suffered injuries.
At the time of the incident, strong evening thunderstorms were active across North Texas. A sagging cold front combined with storm activity often generates dangerous turbulence.
Aviation experts noted the aircraft likely encountered convectively induced turbulence near the storm edges, or clear-air shear at higher altitudes.
Turbulence of this magnitude can cause loose items to become airborne. A striking example came when a United “Bistro On Board” menu was found wedged in the cabin ceiling after the flight. Such vertical acceleration explains how items launch upward during sudden drops.
The flight UA5971 was operated by Embraer ERJ-175, registered as N110SY. Further, it is an 11.3-year-old aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce AE 3007 series turbofan engines.
Photo: By Richard Silagi – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76300183Passenger Experiences and Reports
Several passengers recalled the harrowing drop and the panic inside the cabin. One reported that the pilot ordered flight attendants to emergency stations and commanded everyone to don oxygen masks.
Another passenger described people around them believing the aircraft was about to crash. Social media posts echoed these sentiments, with family members saying their loved ones thought they would not survive.
pic.twitter.com/mQlWFSpFxb
— G (@GLane22699) August 29, 2025
Despite the intensity of the descent, the flight’s safe landing avoided more serious consequences.
While unconfirmed, one account suggested a passenger lost teeth, which is consistent with potential turbulence-related injuries when unrestrained passengers collide with hard surfaces.
Photo: Colin Brown | FlickrWhy Austin is a Key Diversion Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport plays a major role in diversion scenarios for flights across Texas. Located within 40 minutes of Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, AUS is frequently chosen by airlines for unplanned landings.
The airport, formerly Bergstrom Air Force Base, offers two long runways (12,250 feet and 9,000 feet), full customs facilities, and service by nearly all major U.S. and international carriers.
Its infrastructure and central location make it one of the most practical diversion points in the region.
Photo: By Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA – SkyWest Airlines, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29576111Bottom Line
The scheduled continuation of Flight 5971 from Austin to Houston was canceled. The likely reasons included mandatory aircraft inspections following turbulence-related emergencies and time limits on crew duty hours.
For the passengers onboard, the incident served as a sobering reminder of how quickly turbulence can escalate.
Fortunately, aside from reports of minor injuries, the flight avoided more severe outcomes thanks to the crew’s quick response and safe diversion to Austin.
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