Turbulence Injures United Flight Attendants After Warning Not Relayed

NTSB investigation finds air traffic controller failed to pass along report of 'moderate turbulence' to pilots before incident.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Three United Airlines flight attendants were seriously injured when their plane encountered severe turbulence during a flight from Los Angeles to Newark in 2024. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the air traffic controller failed to relay a report of 'moderate turbulence' from another aircraft in the area to the United pilots, as required by FAA procedures.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of proper communication between air traffic control and pilots about weather conditions that could impact flight safety. The failure to pass along a turbulence report contributed to the injuries sustained by the United flight attendants, raising concerns about protocols for sharing critical information.

The details

United Flight 1890, a Boeing 777 aircraft, was descending towards Newark when it encountered severe turbulence, despite the plane's radar and weather instruments not indicating significant turbulence activity along the flight path. Three minutes before the incident, another plane had reported 'moderate turbulence' in the same area to the air traffic controller, but this information was not relayed to the United pilots as required by FAA procedures. The sudden turbulence caused one flight attendant to be thrown to the ceiling and then the floor, fracturing her spine, while two other attendants were injured and lost consciousness, with one suffering a shattered femur, crushed vertebrae, and a head injury.

  • The incident occurred on February 10, 2024 during United Flight 1890 from Los Angeles to Newark.
  • Three minutes before the turbulence incident, another plane reported 'moderate turbulence' in the same area to the air traffic controller.

The players

United Airlines

The airline operating Flight 1890 from Los Angeles to Newark, where the turbulence incident occurred.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The U.S. government agency that conducted a two-year investigation into the turbulence incident and issued the final report.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The government agency responsible for overseeing air traffic control procedures, which the NTSB found were not properly followed in this case.

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What’s next

The NTSB report will likely lead to a review of air traffic control protocols to ensure critical weather information is properly communicated to pilots in a timely manner.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for robust communication between air traffic control and pilots about potential turbulence and other hazardous weather conditions to ensure the safety of flight crews and passengers.