An Alaska Airlines passenger claims severe turbulence left her ‘deeply traumatized,’ according to court documents.
Natalie Russell, 48, filed the case on Wednesday at King County Superior Court in Washington. She had been on the flight between Seattle and Phoenix on December 26, 2024.
Russell alleged that crew members were well aware the plane was flying ‘into danger’ and chose not to divert the path, according to a lawsuit reviewed by the Daily Mail.
The passengers and crew allegedly received several warnings about worsening turbulence, per the filing.
Russell claimed that the experience left her in ‘extreme distress’ as she ‘feared for her life.’
The Boeing 737 ‘violently and dramatically plunged’ more than 200 feet in just a few seconds, Russell claimed.
The suit stated that ‘due to the severe turbulence’ and the ‘violent shaking of the plane,’ Russell sustained injuries to her neck, head and back.
Passengers were jerked from their seats and their heads were smacked against overhead bins, despite wearing seatbelts, the suit alleged.
According to the complaint, Russell witnessed other passengers hitting their heads on the ceiling
‘[Russell’s] cell phone flew out of her hand, her ear buds popped out, her drink spilled, and she started crying from the terror,’ the filing stated.
The impact allegedly caused parts of the ceiling to fall, which Russell photographed.
Another passenger allegedly commented that the tumultuous flight ‘looked like a war zone.’
According to the lawsuit, the cabin crew was ‘laying on the floor’ throughout the bumpy ride.
‘Flight attendants were seen bleeding profusely as they screamed and moaned loudly, clearly in extreme pain,’ the filing said.
Previous reporting indicated that four crew members were hospitalized following the flight, per the Seattle Times.
As Russell exited the aircraft, she alleged, one flight attendant was still collapsed on the floor.
‘The flight attendant may have been partially paralyzed or otherwise permanently injured,’ the suit claimed.
The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the flight. According to their reports, a ‘Significant Meteorological Information’ advisory was issued for Flight 700.
The flight was headed from Seattle to Phoenix, but took a dramatic turn
‘The pilots declared a medical emergency and elected to continue to Phoenix, after determining that a diversion to the nearest airport would result in routing through the area of expected turbulence,’ read the preliminary investigation.
According to FlightAware, as Flight 700 continued to its destination, it recorded a 300-foot altitude drop in just 90 minutes as it soared over Nevada.
The Safety Board noted that two flight attendants were ‘seriously injured.’ It made no mention of passenger injuries.
Russell’s brother took her to be treated at Urgent Care after the plane landed.
According to the lawsuit, she continues to suffer neck pain, stiffness and frequent headaches. She also suffered ‘mental anguish, trauma, and shock,’ the complaint alleged.
According to the filing, Russell now experiences ‘significant anxiety and distress in connection with air travel.’
Russell’s attorney, Mark Lindquist, told the Daily Mail that airlines ‘have the highest duty of caring for the safety of their passengers.’
‘Safety comes before schedules,’ he added. ‘In this flight, Alaska Airlines pilots received repeated warnings of severe turbulence and dangerous weather. They flew into it anyway.’
Russell asked for financial compensation for her injuries, medical bills and emotional trauma, reported KATU. The lawsuit does not specify the amount.
Alaska Airlines issued a statement in response to the lawsuit saying that the company does ‘not comment on ongoing litigation.’
‘Safety is our highest priority, and we take all reports and incidents involving turbulence seriously,’ it read.
