An American Eagle flight from Greensboro, N.C. to DFW Airport diverted to Longview overnight when five passengers and a flight attendant were injured after the plane hit turbulence, a spokesperson for American Eagle confirmed Tuesday.
The flight got bumpy at about 7 p.m. as it flew through strong storms in the area. There were 36 passengers and three crewmembers on the aircraft.
Three passengers, including Mattie Crockett, of Desoto, were treated and released with what the airline called minor injuries.
Crockett, who sustained a sprained spine, said it is "inhumane" that the airline hasn't contacted her.
"They charge us to fly. They charge us $25 for our bag," she said. "Then, when something like this happens that's beyond your control or theirs, at least they could show compassion."
The airline said it has been in contact with the three people who remain hospitalized and plans to reach out within a few days to the three passengers who were treated and released.
The plane's flight attendant and and two other passengers were still in the hospital Tuesday afternoon, the airline’s Andrea Huguely said in an e-mail. An elderly passenger who sustained a broken leg was one of the three still hospitalized Tuesday.
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Gregg County fire officials told local media in East Texas two MD-80 airplanes and a 737 made emergency landings in Longview overnight.
The airline said it had three diverted planes on the ground in Longview on Monday, making it an unusually busy night at the small airport.
American Eagle is the regional carrier of Fort Worth-based American Airlines.
