Avianca crew hospitalised after A319 diversion

Four occupants of an Avianca Airbus A319 have been hospitalised after an apparent turbulence incident and a diversion to Panama City. The aircraft had been operating the AV693 service from San Jose to Bogota Jan 23, says the carrier. Diversion of the flight, which had been operating at 35,000ft, occurred as it reached the Panama-Colombia border. Avianca says the diversion followed the crew’s receiving an “alert” from the aircraft’s systems, without elaborating on the nature of the alarm. It was transporting 108 passengers and 5 crew members but states that the aircraft experienced “abrupt movement”, prompting medical referrals for some of those on board when it arrived in Panama. Avianca says that, as a result of initial reviews, 3 crew members and a passenger were taken to hospital for more detailed examination. <br/>