Objects Fly Across Aircraft, Passengers Lifted Off Seats, Six Injured

Four passengers and two crew members were injured when a US Airways jet hit severe turbulence and returned to Philadelphia.

The Airbus A330 was carrying 265 passengers and a crew of 10.

It was bound for Orlando, Florida when it encountered unexpected turbulence at about 17,000ft - or halfway to cruising altitude.

Passengers reported being lifted out of their seats and seeing objects flying across the aircraft as people were screaming.

At least one passenger slammed into an overhead bin, reports said.

Passenger Venus Desue told CBS News: "Twenty minutes into the flight, all of a sudden, we just felt this boom. And the plane felt like it dropped 20ft down.

"Shoes were flying, cell phones were flying, people were screaming. And it was very, very, very scary."

Another passenger, Mark Pensiero, told The Philadelphia Inquirer: "There were a lot of people on that flight who thought, 'Oh, that's it.'"

The airline said the seatbelt sign was still on at the time of the turbulence.

US Airways said the seatbelt sign was on

The pilot then turned the plane back to Philadelphia, where it landed safely.

Those injured were taken to hospital. Other passengers continued to Orlando after being booked on subsequent flight. 

The condition of the passengers who were hurt was not known but it was not believed to be life-threatening.

The injured crew were discharged from hospital later on Sunday.

Sky News