February 13, 2019 - 5:11 PM
RENO, Nev. - The Latest on five passengers injured on a Delta Air Lines flight that made an emergency landing in Reno after encountering heavy turbulence in a winter storm (all times local):
5:05 p.m.
Passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight that made an emergency landing in Reno say the plane encountered "crazy turbulence" before it touched down safely and three people were hospitalized with minor injuries.
A total of five people were hurt on the flight Wednesday headed from John Wayne Airport in Southern California to Seattle.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport spokesman Brian Kulpin says the three taken to a local hospital were conscious but their condition wasn't immediately known.
KOLO-TV reported that emergency crews confirmed the injuries were minor.
One passenger tweeted the plane did two nose dives but the Delta crew "handled it perfectly."
A major winter storm is making its way into the region. The National Weather Service reported earlier Wednesday that overnight winds were gusting over Sierra ridgetops near Reno in excess of 130 mph (209 kilometres per hour).
____
3:20 p.m.
Five people suffered unspecified injuries when a Delta Airlines flight headed from Southern California to Seattle encountered severe turbulence and was forced to make an emergency landing in Reno.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport spokesman Brian Kulpin said three of the passengers were transported to a local hospital Wednesday where their conditions were not immediately known.
A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed Compass Flight 5763 out of John Wayne Airport in Orange County was diverted to Reno and landed without further incident at about 1 p.m. after the crew reported the turbulence at about 34,000 feet.
The National Weather Service had warned earlier Wednesday that a strong winter storm moving into the region could create dangerous flying conditions with extreme turbulence. A winter storm warning is in effect for the Lake Tahoe area through 11 p.m. Thursday.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019