CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Turbulence injuries like Monday's can be avoided - here's how

Turbulence injuries like Monday's can be avoided - here's how

LONGVIEW (KYTX) - Monday night's in-flight injuries to 5 American Airlines passengers highlights the heed you should take to the pilot's and attendants' instructions. CBS 19's Wilton Johnson explains what you need to remember.

Air travel is one of those things you either love or hate.

"Its just fun, I think its a fun thing to do," said one frequent flyer.

"No I don't fly, I crashed one in Vietnam and I'll never get in another one, don't intend to!"

Five airline passengers were reconsidering their stance Tuesday after turbulence in the air sent them to the hospital. The flight out of North Carolina inbound to DFW was diverted to East Texas Regional Airport after a drop in altitude sent passengers reeling.

"There are air currents that go north, east, south, and west and air currents that rise and fall in the atmosphere. If a plane is traveling through one of these, especially rising or falling currents it is going to experience the effects of those currents."

The Federal Aviation Administration reminds airline passengers to listen to the pilot and attendants. Follow their directions closely and obey the overhead light signals. Even if they don't say it, do not move around during takeoff landing or if the seat belt sign is lit.

Monday night's most serious injury, a broken leg, was suffered by a woman who was in the bathroom against the orders of the pilot. Still, turbulence related injuries remain low annually at 58 on average.

American Airlines maintenance crews out of Dallas inspected the plane for structural damage before allowing it to continue on to DFW.