Comments

1. The one passenger mentioned ‘lost pressure’, which led many social media geniuses to run with ‘depressurization’ event. The video clearly shows that the oxygen masks did not drop, so a depress seems highly unlikely. Of there was a depress but mask drop, there would have been a substantial number of.unconscious passengers. Not clear what to think of.’rapid.descent’ claims, which would mean getting to 10K.

   I can only assume.that there are some translation issues.

   There was an X post that showed the flight path and whether – seemed to suggest they flew right into the middle of heaviest convective cell in the area.- which is just odd, especially (if true) if seatbelt sign was off, and carts were in the aisles.

2. It has been a long time since I have been on a long flight that even started a meal service at one hour into the flight. One and a half hours or two hours is typical.

3. …and the scariest part was most likely the United meal

4. How did they hit their head on the overhead bin? That’s right, people are too stupid to keep their seat belt fastened when they’re in their seat.

   I despair for the human race.

5. @Bill

   ZING!

   @Linda

   You don’t anything. While it is wise (to have your seatbelt fastened at all times), it is not always practical. Since meal service had begun, the seat-belt-sign likely was off, so passengers may have been up to use the lavatory or access overhead baggage, which is all reasonable under those circumstances.

   Even if the sign was on, the pilots may have directed the fully-trained crew that it was safe enough/worth the risk for them to begin the meal service.

   All the above are plausible reasons for why someone may have hit their head during an unexpected turbulence.

   The reality is in that part of the world (tropical West Africa) there is both more thunderstorms and less aircraft to report on current conditions for the benefit of other aircraft (like, say compared to airspace near a major city, like London, NYC, even MIA).

   Or… for a simple answer to a complex issue: just call the victims ‘stupid’ like you did.

   I’d be willing to bet that if you were on-board, you’d likely have hit your head, too; then again, you’re used to that.

   Honestly, I’m impressed none of the typical right-wing trolls commented about the country of origin (you know, ‘Africa’ Africa nonsense). There’s still time, I guess. If so, I’ll be here waiting.

6. Africa is an underdeveloped continent with low GDP. The prostration of oneself to defend an economically stunted region of the world that travel bloggers don’t write about, but for news like this, appears to be virtue signaling.

   Being African in most cases means poverty. Poverty is bad. Full stop.

7. @Ismy Dickinyet

   I was waiting for a hate-filled comment like yours. What took you so long? Oh… it’s ‘short’ (I get it), just like @AndyS.

   Africa has plenty of exceptional things going on for itself. I’ve visited nearly 20 times, and I cannot say enough good things about the continent. It’s people are industrious, passionate, and innovative. There are ample resources, thriving cities, and an abundance of natural beauty.

   As it relates to travel, you’d be surprised that some of the most luxurious lodges and properties in the world are found there. Better beaches than the Caribbean, too. Also, some of their regional airlines, like Airlink, are far superior to most US carriers on routes of similar duration.

   If you think it’s just ‘poverty,’ then you know less than nothing. Remain ignorant and stay away!

   Also, thank you to Gary for actually highlighting interesting aviation news from around the world. That’s why many of us keep visiting VFTW (also, for the banter, like here). And no, he isn’t virtue signaling–he’s hoping for ‘clicks’ so he can collect those juicy credit card referrals to fund his site.

8. It is most notable that UA has said that this incident was not caused by turbulence. The Latam issue months ago was caused a flight attendant accidently moving a pilot seat, causing a pilot to hit the yoke.

9. @Tim Dunn

   That is new info. I just saw United’s updated statement as well. “It said the cause was not severe turbulence and attributed the jolt to an unspecified technical issue.” Who knows, this may become another opportunity to blame Boeing for something.

10. 1990 you’re a chronically online dbag. On your next trip to Africa may you get trampled by an elephant and die.

11. @Ismy Dickinyet

    I’m glad to hear that you enjoy life, offline, and don’t waste precious time posting hate on a random travel blog, sorry Gary, ‘thought leader,’ to internet strangers.

    Have you met @AndyS, @Christian, and whatever else ‘you’ are calling yourself on here these days?

    I presume you’re all the same Russian agent assigned to this site, or just simply a useful idiot projectile-vomiting and explosive-diarrhea-ing far-right trash. Oh, hey, it’s nearly lunchtime in Moscow. Enjoy the fresh borscht!