Delta Airlines flight DL56, which left Salt Lake City, Utah, for Amsterdam, made a diversion to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport following severe turbulence
Dozens of passengers were taken to hospital with injuries suffered when their flight experienced severe turbulence.
Delta Airlines flight DL56 had to divert to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota following the significant turbulence after leaving Salt Lake City, Utah. The Airbus A330-900 landed at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport at around 10pm Wednesday local time (4am Thursday UK time).
But 25 of the 275 passengers needed care in hospitals following the difficulties the flight had encountered in the air. They were taken to local hospitals, the airline confirmed. A spokesperson said: “Delta flight DL56 – flying from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam – diverted to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Wednesday after the flight encountered significant turbulence while enroute.” It comes after one expert claimed “I’m a pilot with 10,000 flight hours but I won’t go near this place”.
The Delta Airlines spokesperson continued: “The aircraft, an Airbus A330-900, landed safely at MSP, and medical personnel met the flight upon arrival to evaluate customers and crew. Twenty-five of those on board were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and care. We are grateful for the support of all emergency responders involved. Safety is our No. 1 value at Delta, and our Delta Care Team is working directly with customers to support their immediate needs.”
Firefighters and paramedics were waiting for the plane before it landed. The nature and extent of the injuries are unclear at this stage. The passengers will head for Amsterdam at the next safest opportunity, it is understood.
Research conducted this year by Turbli, a turbulence forecast site, found the world’s most turbulent route is between Mendoza in Argentina and Santiago in Chile , which achieved a 24.684 eddy dissipation rate (edr). Turbulence levels are split into categories, with light measuring between zero and 20 edr, moderate measuring between 20 and 40 edr, severe measuring between 60 and 80 and extreme measuring between 80 and 100 edr.
The second most turbulent route was found to be Cordoba in Spain to Santiago, which measured 20.214 edr. For the airports with the most turbulence, Santiago in Chile took the number one spot, followed by Mendoza in Argentina and Salta, in Argentina. Turbulence is irregular and often unpredictable movements of the aircraft caused by disturbances in the air. It can range from mild to severe and is typically associated with changes in air pressure, atmospheric conditions, and wind patterns.
In May 2024, Singapore Airlines Flight 321 experienced severe turbulence which caused unrestrained passengers and flight crew onboard the flight to be thrown about the cabin. A 73-year-old British male passenger suffered a suspected heart attack during the incident and was pronounced dead upon arrival in Bangkok.