Delta Flight’s Severe Turbulence Sends 18 to Hospital
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveals new details about a violent turbulence incident involving Delta Air Lines Flight 56 from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam. The Airbus A330 encountered extreme turbulence on July 30, forcing an emergency landing at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport and sending 18 passengers to the hospital.
According to the NTSB, the turbulence struck while the aircraft was cruising over Wyoming. The report states passengers experienced forces nearly double gravity, throwing beverage carts and travelers against the ceiling. Despite the crew’s efforts to avoid bad weather, the pilots were caught off guard when a recommended course change steered them into the storm’s most severe section.
The report notes the seatbelt sign had been turned off after moderate turbulence subsided and was not reactivated before the aircraft entered the rough air. As the plane hit an updraft, the autopilot disengaged, and the aircraft briefly exceeded its maximum operating speed by 15 to 20 knots. Over two and a half minutes, it rapidly climbed and descended three times while the first officer tried to stabilize it.
Two of the 10 cabin crew members sustained serious injuries, with five others reporting minor ones, while none of the three pilots were hurt. The incident underscores how unexpected weather patterns can overwhelm even experienced crews, and the NTSB continues to investigate the factors leading to the dangerous turbulence event.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, nytimes.com