Topline

Twenty-five people flying onboard a Delta Airlines flight were taken to hospital Wednesday after their plane faced “significant turbulence” and was forced to make an emergency landing, the airline said in a statement.

The Delta Airlines flight enroute from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency stop in Minneapolis due to “significant turbulence.”

NurPhoto via Getty ImagesKey Facts

Delta said its flight DL56 from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam “encountered significant turbulence while enroute.”

Due to the turbulence, the plane was diverted to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.

After landing, medical personnel evaluated everyone on board, and twenty-five people were sent to local hospitals for further “evaluation and care.”

The airline’s statement didn’t mention if anyone on board suffered any serious injuries.

Delta said the plane in question was an Airbus A330-900.

What Does Flight Tracking Data Show?

According to flight tracking data on Flightradar24, the Delta Airlines flight DL56 witnessed a sudden change in altitude while cruising at 37,000 feet over Wyoming, roughly 40 minutes into the flight. In a span of approximately 30 seconds, the flight’s altitude rose from 36,950 feet to 38,000 feet before quickly descending to around 36,500 feet over the following 30 seconds. A short while later, tracking data showed the plane diverting its course towards the Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport.

Big Number

207. That’s how many people sustained serious injuries from turbulence on planes between 2009 and 2024 according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Flight crew members accounted for 166 of these serious injuries while 40 such cases involved passengers.

Key Background

The cause of the severe turbulence on the Delta flight is not known; however, experts have warned that extreme temperatures caused by a changing climate are likely to make such events more frequent and more severe. According to the FAA, turbulence is “air movement that normally cannot be seen and often occurs unexpectedly,” and it can be caused by a variety of conditions, including “atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts or thunderstorms.” Dr. Bob Thomas, assistant professor of aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University told Forbes: “Travelers can expect more turbulence at takeoff and landing “from the hot temperature causing thermals and rising air.”

Further Reading

Over 7,000 Flight Delays Monday—Here’s How Extreme Heat Disrupts Air Travel (Forbes)