The same United Airlines aircraft had a similar issue earlier this week, with a rapid altitude drop prompting a diversion.

A United Airlines jet was forced to make an emergency landing after plummeting mid-air following take-off. At least six people were injured after the plane jolted during the flight from Nigeria on Friday. The flight, which was heading from Lagos to Washington DC, had 245 passengers and 11 crew on board at the time.

The Washington, DC-bound widebody jet - operating as flight UA613 - reportedly dropped about 200ft, according to accounts posted on social media.

It is unclear what caused the jolt; United Airlines has said the cause was not severe turbulence, and that it is “working with aviation authorities in the US and Nigeria to understand the cause.”

Six were injured on a United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington after the plane had a technical issue that caused an "unexpected movement."

A United Airlines flight UA613, outbound from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,  declared an emergency and returned to

United Airlines flight UA613, travelling from Lagos to Washington, US. experienced a mid-flight emergency and returned.

Several passengers onboard the United Airlines flight UA613 sustained injury as the aircraft made an emergency return to Lagos. The Washington bound flight with 245 passengers, eight flight attendants and three pilots made direct return to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,