Flight Attendant, Three Passengers Hurt In The Incident

An Allegiant Air flight ran into some bumpy air on a recent flight from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Asheville, NC, and made an unscheduled landing in Tampa after four people were hurt as a result of the turbulence.

One of those injured was a flight attendant doing beverage service about 30-40 minutes into the flight. USA Today relays a report from WTSP-TV in Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL that says the FA hit her head when she flew up into the air when the turbulence was encountered. She reportedly fell on a passenger and suffered a gash on her face. That passenger and two others were also reportedly injured in the incident.

The flight attendant was taken to an area hospital after landing. The three passengers suffered only minor injuries which did not require treatment.

The airline said the seatbelt light was illuminated at the time of the incident.

Passenger Jeff Adler likened the experience to "a bad rollercoaster ride," and said he was concerned that the plane would go down. The incident was reportedly of a very short duration.

FMI: www.esrl.noaa.gov/gsd/media/hotitems/2001/01Jan31.html