Severe Turbulence Injures Four on Hawaii-to-lax United Flight

WHO:

ABC7 Los Angeles - United Airlines Flight 1157 had nearly 200 passengers and 10 crew members on board.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Four flight attendants were injured; at least two were reported to have been injured in the NY Post article.

ABC7 Los Angeles - San Diego resident Marly Wadlington described the turbulence to Eyewitness News.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Passenger Coral Pena recalled hearing a loud bang.

NY Post - At least two United employees suffered neck and back injuries.

WHAT:

ABC7 Los Angeles - The flight encountered severe turbulence as it approached Los Angeles International Airport and landed safely.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Four flight attendants were seen by medical personnel; one was taken to the hospital for further treatment.

ABC7 Los Angeles - No passengers were injured, though dozens were shaken up.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The aircraft stayed on the tarmac for at least 30 minutes after landing while the injured flight attendants remained onboard as it waited for a gate.

NY Post - The turbulence was described in its headline as a sudden drop.

WHERE:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Flight 1157 departed from Hawaii and was bound for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

ABC7 Los Angeles - The turbulence occurred as the aircraft was coming in to land at LAX.

WHEN:

ABC7 Los Angeles - The incident occurred on Wednesday night.

HOW:

ABC7 Los Angeles - A pilot told air traffic control, “It only lasted a couple of seconds, it felt like wake turbulence, but we're smooth now.”

ABC7 Los Angeles - Wadlington said, “I was watching a movie, and all of a sudden we just drop,” and described shaking and passengers yelling.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Pena said, “We just started falling, and I was like, ‘Oh my God.’”

ABC7 Los Angeles - A passenger said she saw a flight attendant with blood on her head and leg.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 16:23 UTC)

A United Airlines flight from Hawaii landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport after encountering severe turbulence on its approach. Flight 1157 had nearly 200 passengers and 10 crew members aboard. Four flight attendants were seen by medical personnel, and one was taken to a hospital for further treatment; no passengers were injured, though dozens were shaken. The aircraft remained on the tarmac for at least 30 minutes while the injured crew members waited onboard for a gate. San Diego resident Marly Wadlington said the plane suddenly dropped as she watched a movie, then shook as passengers yelled. Passenger Coral Pena recalled hearing a loud bang and feeling the aircraft fall. Another passenger said she saw a flight attendant with blood on her head and leg. The pilot told air traffic control the turbulence lasted only a couple of seconds and the aircraft was smooth again.