Plane journey interrupted mid-flight due to severe turbulence, resulting in 25 passengers seeking medical attention: Delta Airline
Delta Air Lines Flight 56, travelling from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, experienced severe turbulence approximately 45 minutes into the journey. The turbulence was compared to a 300-foot-troll coaster drop, causing passengers to be pulled out of their seats.
The flight, operated on an Airbus A33-900, had 275 passengers and 13 crew members on board. During the turbulence, there were people screaming, a woman crying, phones flying, and a beverage cart was thrown into the ceiling of the aircraft, causing glass bottles to shatter.
Leeann Nash, a passenger on the flight, described the turbulence as a sudden, hard hit with no warning. William Webster, another passenger, called it a "harrowing experience" that lasted about 3-5 minutes.
Fortunately, the flight landed safely at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport shortly before 8 p.m. local time on Wednesday. However, twenty-five people, including seven crew members, were taken to the hospital for evaluation and care. All of the hospitalized individuals have since been released.
The flight attendants were calm, well-trained, and responsive during the turbulence, ensuring the safety of the passengers. Airlines advise vigilance and compliance with crew instructions, especially during turbulent conditions. To stay safe during severe turbulence, passengers should always keep their seat belt fastened whenever seated.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. Severe turbulence on commercial flights is primarily caused by unstable air movements such as wind shear, which occurs when two large air masses moving at different speeds meet and create chaotic eddies and currents, especially near jet streams. Climate change has intensified turbulence by increasing temperature differences around jet streams, leading to a significant rise in severe turbulence incidents worldwide.
Passengers will continue on to Amsterdam from Minneapolis-St. Paul on a special flight Thursday evening. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions such as remaining buckled up during turbulent flights. Despite the scary experience severe turbulence can bring, fatal accidents are extremely rare, though injuries—particularly to unbelted passengers and crew—do occur.
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a statement regarding the turbulent Delta Air Lines Flight 56 incident, emphasizing the importance of adhering to general-news guidelines for media reporting, including the responsible portrayal of lifestyle factors and travel advisories related to flight safety.
- In the aftermath of the Delta Air Lines Flight 56 incident, the global aviation community expressed concern, as severe accidents are a rare occurrence in the international aviation industry. This incident highlights the need for increased research and development in reducing accidents and improving flight safety practices.
- As Delta Air Lines Flight 56 passengers prepare for their rescheduled journey to Amsterdam following the turbulence incident, travel agencies are recommending travellers learn more about the various factors influencing this weather phenomenon and take precautions by staying informed about general-news updates on air safety.
