Mid-Air Turbulence Leaves 38 Injured on United Flight to Washington, D.C.

Thirty-eight people were injured, with six requiring hospitalization, after a United Airlines flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Washington, D.C., encountered an emergency midair, according to Nigerian officials. While the exact cause of the incident remains unclear, a video verified by NBC News shows the Boeing 787-8’s passenger cabin in disarray. The footage reveals meal trays and food scattered across the floor, and sections of the aircraft’s headliner visibly separated from the cabin ceiling, indicating the severity of the disturbance.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria reported that the flight, operated as United Airlines Flight 613, departed Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 11:59 p.m. local time on Thursday (5:59 p.m. ET). However, hours after takeoff, the aircraft encountered a technical emergency, prompting it to return to Lagos. The flight landed safely at 3:22 a.m. local time on Friday (9:22 p.m. ET Thursday), the agency said.

In a statement released on Saturday, United Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that the flight, which carried 245 passengers, eight crew members, and three pilots, returned to Lagos due to a “technical issue and unexpected aircraft movement.” The airline acknowledged that six people, including four passengers and two flight attendants, sustained injuries serious enough to require hospitalization. United Airlines described their injuries as minor.

However, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria offered a differing account, stating that the six individuals suffered “serious” injuries. They were stabilized at nearby medical facilities before being transferred to Duchess Hospital in Ikeja for further care. In addition to these cases, another 27 passengers and five crew members sustained minor injuries. They were treated with first aid at the scene and were released shortly after.

Both U.S. and Nigerian investigators are working to understand the cause of the incident and the nature of the emergency that forced the flight’s return. In the meantime, United Airlines has committed to supporting the investigation while ensuring the well-being of those affected.

The Nigerian airports authority announced on X (formerly Twitter) that its medical team, under the leadership of a highly experienced senior management official, had been fully informed about the situation involving United Airlines Flight 613. In preparation for the flight’s emergency return to Lagos, the team took proactive measures and positioned themselves at the airport ahead of the aircraft’s arrival. This advance coordination ensured that the necessary medical support was immediately available to assist passengers and crew upon landing.

The Nigerian airports authority stated that its medical team maintained direct communication with the pilot of United Airlines Flight 613 prior to the aircraft’s emergency landing in Lagos. This coordination allowed the team, along with ground firefighters, to be fully prepared and present on the scene to provide immediate assistance upon the plane’s arrival.

The airports authority also confirmed that the aircraft did not sustain significant damage despite the midair emergency. According to FlightAware, a flight tracking service, the plane was in the air for 3 hours and 36 minutes before returning to Lagos.

A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated in an email on Saturday that any further information regarding the incident would be provided by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and United Airlines. Both entities are expected to collaborate closely as investigations into the cause of the event continue.