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On March 2, 2025, at 17:55 CST (22:55 UTC), flight OO5690, a skywest airlines CRJ-200 aircraft (N920EV), departed from springfield-branson national airport (ksgf) en route to george bush intercontinental airport (kiah). The flight was part of a regularly scheduled operation for united express. The crew consisted of 3 members and carried 28 adult passengers with 644 lbs. Of luggage (15 valet bags and 11 domestic bags). The flight was planned with a takeoff weight of 46,708 lbs. (Maximum 47,000 lbs.), carrying 3 crew members, 31 passengers, and 7,600 lbs. Of fuel. The total flight time was estimated at 1:22, with 2:07 of fuel. The flight had several open MEL (galley) and nef items, none of which affected flight operations.

The flight was planned to proceed from springfield directly to tulsa (tul), then to the cowboy VORTAC (near kdfw), and finally to iah via the GUSHR3 arrival route. The en-route altitude was set at FL240, noted as slightly lower than usual due to turbulence reports. The flight release included a *turb advisory note and mentioned that the flight was filed for FL240 based on ride reports. Additionally, the release stated that textual airmets were temporarily unavailable; crews should review information on wsi or contact the dispatcher. This did not occur.

Passengers reported before departure the pilot announced high winds and low flight ceiling before takeoff and seatbelt sign would be on entire flight for predicted turbulence.

The flight crew responded to air traffic control (ATC) at 23:49 UTC with a ride report, “of continuous light with strong to moderate for probably the last 20 minutes.” the crew asked if rides were any better at 26, and ATC cleared SKW5690 to FL270, then the crew reported the FL270 change to dispatch via acars. The captain requested a right turn deviation from ATC but did not receive clearance before “clipping” a buildup.

At 23:59 UTC, the crew encountered severe turbulence which they reported to air traffic control (ATC), including notification of an injured passenger.

The crew experienced an accelerated drop and severe turbulence, with loud popping and cracking noises heard from the cockpit. The captain hit his head on the reading lights and heard people screaming. The flight attendant was in her seat during the event; she had already collected beverages and snacks/trash.

Passengers report that the plane dropped in altitude, objects were tossed around, and passengers swayed back and forth. One passenger reported that water leaked into the cabin. A passenger reported that a nearby passenger was bleeding from their head hitting the psu. The flight attendant checked on injured passengers and called for medical assistance, a veterinarian assisted passengers with injuries.

At 00:07 UTC the crew confirmed their final decision to divert to waco, TX (kact) after consulting options with ATC concerning known turbulence at dfw. They factored in passenger continued bleeding, medical facilities and ua operations in their decision. They notified their dispatcher via acars.

At 00:27 UTC, flight 5690 landed at kact and was met by EMS. Fifteen passengers were injured but not transported to the hospital. Six passengers were transported to a local hospital for treatment and observation due to injuries ranging from lacerations to compression fractures. The flight crew were examined for a concussion and released. The flight attendant was later examined at urgent care and treated for whiplash and the flu.

Operations confirmed mechanics were scheduled to travel from iah to perform the severe turbulence inspection at kact. The aircraft arrived with O2 masks not deployed and the seatbelt sign in “on” position. On March 07, 2025, the inspection was completed without any discrepancy noted and returned to service.