Twenty passengers are suing Delta Air Lines after severe turbulence on a flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam sent 25 passengers and crew to hospital. The lawsuit, filed in Utah's 3rd District Court, alleges pilots recklessly flew into a thunderstorm despite multiple warnings.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on July 30, 2025, aboard a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 flying from Salt Lake City International Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. As the plane passed over Wyoming, passengers experienced what the lawsuit describes as “2.5 minutes of terror” when severe turbulence rocked the aircraft, forcing an unscheduled landing in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
After landing, 25 people were taken to hospitals for treatment. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated and determined the pilots were caught off-guard by the storm. The seatbelt sign was not lit when the turbulence hit.
Lawsuit Allegations
The lawsuit claims the flight crew received multiple warnings about dangerous weather and heard other planes deviate from similar routes but continued on the planned course. It alleges the pilots “recklessly flew” too close to a thunderstorm. Casey DuBose, a lawyer representing the passengers, stated the airline “had the tools” and “had the ability to avoid this weather and chose to disregard the warnings.”
The Aviation Law Group said in a statement: “Many passengers described a terrifying cabin scene, with people, carts, food, and personal items thrown through the aircraft.” It added that injuries included head and spinal trauma, concussions, lacerations, broken bones, and lasting post-traumatic stress disorder and fear of flying.
The National Weather Service had issued an advisory warning of severe weather, including thunderstorms along the flight route. Other planes diverted around the area, but Delta’s pilots allegedly proceeded into the storm.
Additional Claims
The lawsuit also criticizes the pilots’ decision to divert to Minneapolis, where Delta has a major hub, rather than closer airports like Salt Lake City or Denver. This added 90 minutes to the flight, prolonging the ordeal for injured passengers.
The passengers are seeking an undisclosed amount in damages and a trial. The Aviation Law Group stated: “Turbulence and severe weather are not new phenomena, and this accident could have been prevented.” The Mirror has requested comment from Delta Air Lines.
