Passengers aboard Dulles-bound flight injured during landing

At least two people were injured Saturday when an airliner encountered turbulence as it approached Dulles International Airport, authorities said.

The two, a flight attendant and a passenger who had been aboard a United Express flight from Parkersburg W.Va., were treated at a hospital and released, said a spokesman for Colgan Air, Inc., which operated the flight.

The plane, a two engine SAAB 340 was at an altitude of about 11,000 feet with 11 passengers and a crew of three when it encountered turbulence, said Joe Williams, a spokesman for Pinnacle Airlines Corp., of which Colgan is a subsidiary.

He said the seat belt sign was on and the plane landed safely. However, he said, the flight attendant and a female passenger both hit their heads. No details of the injuries or how they were incurred were known immediately.

After the plane landed at 3:35 p.m. emergency personnel took the two to a hospital by ambulance, Williams said. He said another passenger was treated at the airport.

Heavy rain and gusty winds were reported at Dulles at about the time of the landing.