Severe Turbulence Forces Emergency Landing of Delta Airlines Flight
An incident on a Delta Airlines flight has left multiple passengers hospitalized and prompted an emergency landing. The turbulence hit suddenly while the aircraft was en route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam.
On Wednesday evening, around 7:45 p.m. local time, a Delta Airbus A330-900 carrying 275 passengers and 13 crew encountered severe turbulence. As a result, the plane diverted to Minneapolis, landing at St. Paul International Airport. Upon arrival, paramedics and the local fire department were on hand to assist.
Delta confirmed that 25 individuals were taken to nearby hospitals after the unexpected landing.
Preliminary reports indicate that turbulence started about 45 minutes into the flight, possibly while the plane was over Wyoming.
Passenger Leslie Woods shared her experience, saying that the drink cart was tossed into the air and the chaotic shaking lasted about a minute. She recounted that a little girl nearby was screaming in fear, which added to the intense atmosphere. “I thought we were going to die,” Woods admitted, describing the ordeal as quite traumatizing.
Another passenger, Joseph Carbone, noted experiencing multiple rounds of turbulence—each increasingly severe. “It was insane. People were flying around. Everything that wasn’t secured was airborne,” he remarked.
Leann Nash also reflected on her terrifying experience, stating that the turbulence came without warning, and those not wearing seatbelts were thrown against the ceiling, leading to injuries. “It was really scary,” Nash recalled, highlighting the chaotic scene of carts and passengers colliding with the aircraft’s interior.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident, and Delta Airlines is cooperating with a probe from the National Transportation Safety Board.
A spokesperson from Delta expressed gratitude towards the emergency responders and assured that their care team is addressing the needs of the affected passengers. They also announced that all crew members have been discharged from the hospital, and plans are in place to provide a special flight from St. Paul to Amsterdam for those wanting to continue their journey.
