In a heart-pounding incident reminiscent of a horror movie, passengers aboard SkyWest Flight 5971 from Aspen, Colorado to Houston, Texas, plunged a staggering 4,400 feet in mere seconds, leaving chaos in their wake and two individuals needing hospital attention.

About 90 minutes into the flight, the aircraft hit severe turbulence near Fort Worth, Texas, causing it to nosedive from a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet to 34,650 feet. The sudden drop sent the 39 passengers into a panic as screams filled the cabin.

The pilot's alarming transmission to air traffic control, captured by LiveATC.net, highlighted the gravity of the situation: 'We're going to need a stretcher, and there is bleeding as well,' signaling the need for immediate medical assistance.

As the plane rapidly descended towards Austin—165 miles short of its intended destination—oxygen masks deployed, and personal belongings from frightened passengers flew across the aisles. One eyewitness described the scene: 'Someone in front of me hit the ceiling several times,' illustrating the chaotic turmoil.

The turbulence was so fierce that one passenger recounted witnessing a grown man 'fly up like a rag doll' against the cabin. Another passenger discovered a stranger's cellphone in their lap, likely thrown by the violent shaking.

Upon landing in Austin, emergency responders swiftly attended to all aboard. Thankfully, the injuries were classified as non-life threatening, with two passengers transported to the hospital as a precaution.

A representative from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport assured reporters that the safety and well-being of everyone on board were their highest priority, reaffirming that SkyWest and United Airlines were working diligently to support affected customers.

As investigations unfold, aviation safety experts are closely examining the circumstances that led to this frightening descent, reminding travelers that airline incidents, while rare, can occur with alarming unpredictability.