A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Minneapolis was abruptly diverted to Salt Lake City after passengers and crew endured terrifying mid-air turbulence, resulting in multiple injuries.
The Boeing 767, operating as Delta Flight 56 from Amsterdam to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, encountered unexpected severe turbulence over the Atlantic, prompting the crew to declare an emergency.
Chaos in the Cabin
Passengers described scenes of panic as the aircraft suddenly dropped altitude, with unsecured items flying through the cabin and oxygen masks deploying. Several travellers sustained injuries from being thrown against seats and overhead compartments.
"It felt like the plane was falling out of the sky," one shaken passenger recounted. "People were screaming, and drinks and bags were hitting the ceiling."
Emergency Response
Medical teams were on standby as the aircraft touched down safely at Salt Lake City International Airport around 2:30pm local time. Paramedics boarded immediately to assess and treat injured passengers.
"We had multiple reports of injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to possible fractures," an airport spokesperson confirmed. "All affected passengers received prompt medical attention."
Delta's Response
Delta Air Lines issued a statement apologising for the incident: "We regret the discomfort experienced by our customers on DL56. Safety remains our top priority, and we're cooperating fully with authorities to investigate this event."
The airline arranged hotel accommodations for unaffected passengers and rebooked them on alternative flights to Minneapolis.
Turbulence Trends
Aviation experts note that while turbulence-related incidents remain rare, climate change may be increasing the frequency of severe turbulence events. Modern aircraft are designed to withstand such forces, but passenger injuries still occur when people aren't properly secured.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident, standard procedure for such events.
