PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Pa. (YC) – Passengers of an American Airlines flight from Athens, Greece had a rough ride after facing extreme turbulence before landing in Philadelphia.
American Airlines flight 759 safely touched down Saturday just after 3 p.m. at the Philadelphia International Airport.
299 souls were onboard the flight – 287 passengers and 12 crewmembers.
According to reports, the turbulence that included what felt like a sudden “free fall” lasted for about 15 seconds.
Iam Smith of South Philadelphia spoke to WPVI, voicing his shocking in-air experience.
“Thirty minutes out. They were giving us our drinks. The flight attendants were in the last rows when they said ‘fasten your seat belts,’” Smith said. “And then they said for the flight attendants to get to their seats, and they didn’t even have time. It started shaking, then it took a big drop. Babies screaming, people in front of us hitting the ceiling.”
It is reported that one of the flight attendants dislocated his shoulder. Passangers took to Twitter to voice their support for flight crew.
“… a crazy experience but impressed w the attendants on this @AmericanAir flight from Athens” Jessica Huseman, a reporter for ProPublica tweeted two minutes after landing at the Philadelphia International Airport.
Furthermore, Huseman said the airlines called her and will continue to call all passengers from the flight.
American Airlines issued the following statement:
“American Airlines flight 759 from Athens, Greece to Philadelphia International Airport briefly encountered severe turbulence shortly before landing safely in Philadelphia. The seat belt sign was on at the time. Three passengers and seven crew members were transported to a local hospital for evaluation. We are taking care of our passengers and our crew members at this time and want to thank our team members for keeping our passengers safe.”