'Everything was flying' during turbulence - CNN.com

'Everything was flying' during turbulence

By A. Pawlowski, CNN

July 21, 2010 4:55 p.m. EDT

A passenger on the United flight that hit severe turbulence Tuesday night took this photo of the cabin interior after the incident.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• United flight was diverted to Denver, Colorado, after it hit severe turbulence
• Incident left 21 people hurt; most had moderate head, neck and back injuries
• FAA: Turbulence is the leading cause of injuries in nonfatal plane accidents
• Turbulence not related to a storm is practically impossible to detect

(CNN) -- A shaky coffee cup is as bumpy as flying gets for most travelers, but in-flight turbulence can sometimes turn into the most violent roller coaster ride anyone can imagine -- transforming a flight from routine to frightening in an instant.

Unbuckled passengers can hit their heads on the ceiling, bags can go flying through the air and flight attendants can be knocked off their feet.

Take the latest incident, which left 21 people hurt on Tuesday night after a United Airlines Boeing 777 on its way from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles, California, hit severe turbulence and was diverted to Denver,'Everything was flying' during turbulence - CNN.com