United Boeing 787 was forced to divert from Newark to upstate NY after wind shear injured 22 passengers on final approach and pilot feared he’d run out of fuel before second attempt at landing

A United Airlines Boeing 787 flight was forced to make an emergency landing after wind shear injured passengers on board because the pilot feared running out of fuel.

The Newark-bound flight from Tel Aviv was diverted to New York’s Stewart International Airport due to “extreme turbulence” reported Friday.

“I’m declaring an emergency right now,” the pilot told flight control Friday afternoon after wind shear prevented them from landing at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“We are at minimum fuel,” the pilot said after an exchange with air traffic control. “We just have to go straight.”

There were 312 passengers on board the Boeing 787, seven of whom were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Another 15 of the passengers were treated at the scene for injuries sustained during the flight, according to New Windsor EMS.

“Strong winds” were the cause of the extreme turbulence that caused the emergency landing.

New Windsor EMS said the United Airlines flight was approaching Newark from Tel Aviv when it experienced strong winds around 6:30 p.m., according to News 12 Westchester.

Passengers on board reportedly complained of nausea and some said they had chest pains due to the turbulence. No serious injuries have been reported.

An FAA statement said: “United Airlines Flight 85 landed safely at New York Stewart International Airport, approximately 75 miles north of its intended destination, around 6:45 p.m. local time on Friday, the 29th. March, after the crew reported a passenger medical emergency.

‘The Boeing 787 departed Tel Aviv and was headed to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The FAA will investigate. Please contact the airline for additional information.’

In a statement to DailyMail.com, United Airlines confirmed that one passenger had disembarked from the plane for medical reasons and several others were treated by medical staff.

‘On Friday, United Flight 85 landed at Stewart International Airport (SWF) after high winds were reported in Newark.

‘One passenger disembarked due to a medical incident, and some other customers were treated by medical staff for possible dizziness. The flight refueled and continued to Newark this evening.

United did not say why the plane traveled upstate instead of attempting a second landing. Online aviation experts have speculated that the distance for a second approach to Newark could have been even greater and could have emptied the plane’s fuel tanks.