Does anyone know the full story on this or have an update? Just heard on Sky news that this flight didn't make it back to SFO for a few days, aparently one cancelled flight after boarding the next day, then a return to AKL due to mechanical problems the next attempt after that. James www.airlinesimulation.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Ochs" <ccochs@pitnet.net> To: <skyone@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 12:48 AM Subject: [Sky-1] Seven hurt as United flight from Sydney hits turbulence > Seven hurt as United flight from Sydney hits turbulence > > WELLINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - A United Airlines (NYSE:UAL - news) flight > from Sydney to San Franciso was forced to divert to Auckland on Wednesday > after it hit severe turbulence over the Pacific ocean, injuring several > passengers, media reported. > > United flight 862, with 269 passengers and 21 crew, had flown into > clear-air turbulence about four hours after leaving Sydney, initial reports > said. > > Up to seven passengers had been injured, with some suffering broken bones > and one with a head injury, the reports said. > > The plane was diverted to Auckland airport where ambulances took several > people to hospital for treatment. > > There were no immediate reports of the number injured nor how seriously. > > "The turbulence was rather severe, and I understand a few passengers were > shaken up," a United Airlines official told Radio New Zealand. > > The Boeing 747-400 took off from Sydney at 0335 GMT and encountered the > "clear air" turbulence, which cannot be detected on radar, near the Pacific > island of Tonga. > > The captain decided to divert to Auckland, the nearest major city, and made > a safe emergency landing shortly after 11 p.m. local time (1100 GMT). > > The uninjured passengers and crew were taken to local hotels for the night. > >