Multiple people injured on Allegiant flight to St. Pete-Clearwater airport after ‘severe’ turbulence

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WWSB) - At least four people were injured Wednesday afternoon after an Allegiant flight experienced severe turbulence before landing at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.

Allegiant Air Flight 227 was traveling to PIE from Asheville, North Carolina, with 179 passengers and six crew members.

Airport paramedics met the plane to assess two passengers and two flight attendants for injuries. They were transported to the hospital for further evaluation.

Airport officials said in a statement that the flight landed normally and taxied to the gate under its own power.

According to the flight-tracking website FlightAware, the Airbus A320 dropped about 5,000 feet, from an elevation of about 18,000 feet to 13,000 feet, in less than two minutes.

Officials are currently investigating the incident in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. No additional details can be confirmed at this time.

ABC7 will update this story as more information is received.