Delta Air Lines Flight Hits Severe Turbulence: 25 Injured – What You Need to Know

A Delta Air Lines flight recently made headlines after encountering severe turbulence. This incident forced an emergency landing in Minneapolis, leaving 25 people injured.

Here’s what you should know:

Flight 56 was on its way from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam when the Airbus A330-900 hit unexpected turbulence. The plane had around 275 passengers and 13 crew members. About 40 minutes into the flight, it suddenly climbed over 1,000 feet, then dropped sharply for about 30 seconds. Reports showed storms were present over parts of the Rockies and the Plains at that time.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene. One passenger, Leann Clement-Nash, recounted how those who weren’t buckled up were thrown from their seats. She said, “They hit the ceiling, and then they fell to the ground.” The flight attendants’ carts also went flying, adding to the mayhem.

Following the turbulence, Delta confirmed that 25 individuals were taken to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. The airline expressed gratitude to the emergency responders who assisted.

Interestingly, while serious injuries from turbulence are not common, experts are noting a trend. Research suggests that as climate change affects the jet stream, turbulence events may be increasing. In fact, just last year, a tragic incident occurred when severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight led to a passenger’s death, the first of its kind on a major airline in decades.

These events serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel. Passengers are encouraged to stay buckled up, even when the seatbelt sign is off, to enhance safety during those sudden bumps in the air.

For further insights into the weather patterns affecting flights, you can read more in this report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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