Video: Chaos on US-bound flight after ‘sudden movement’ mid-air, 6 injured

A United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington DC was forced to make an emergency landing back in Nigeria on Friday morning after experiencing a “sudden movement” that left six people injured, CNN reported.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots, departed Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 11:59 p.m. local time on Thursday but returned at 3:22 a.m. Friday after reportedly losing cabin pressure.

Video footage taken by passengers shows the chaos onboard, with trays, food, and other objects scattered across the floor. Such was the impact of the jolt that the overhead luggage bins were splashed with beverages.

(Video Courtesy: X/@fl360aero)

One passenger recounted the harrowing experience, saying that the crew had just served in-flight meals when the plane suddenly lost pressure and started descending sharply. They hit their head on the ceiling and briefly lost consciousness before receiving medical help.

According to flight data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft abruptly descended around 93 minutes into the flight. Initial reports indicated that the incident was not caused by severe turbulence.

“The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority,” United Airlines spokesperson Leslie Scott said in a statement. “We are grateful that all six individuals who were treated at a local hospital have since been released.”

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria later provided a detailed account, confirming the incident involved a loss of pressure and multiple sharp descents. The pilot initially considered diverting to Ghana but ultimately decided to return to Lagos.

Despite the mid-flight emergency, the aircraft did not sustain significant structural damage.

United Airlines is currently working to place passengers on other flights, according to a CNN report. The incident is under investigation by aviation authorities in both the US and Nigeria.