A Delta Airlines flight carrying 275 passengers and 13 crew members was forced to make an emergency landing after experiencing severe turbulence midair during its journey from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam.
Flight DL56 took off from Salt Lake City Airport at 4:30 p.m. local time but had to be diverted to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
According to a report by Fox 13 News Utah, Joseph Carbone, a passenger on the flight, said the pilot informed him that the plane had plunged 1,000 feet. Then the airplane initiated an emergency landing around 7:45 p.m. local time.
The airline confirmed that the plane landed safely in Minneapolis, where medical personnel assessed the passengers and crew members. “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,” the airline stated.
Carbone further shared that the first sudden plunge occurred about 90 minutes into the journey, causing flight attendants to lose their balance while serving food and drinks. Passengers reported that each successive wave of turbulence became more intense.
According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft dropped from over 38,000 feet to 35,775 feet in about 90 seconds.
“I just saw everything fly through the air,” said Carbone. “…I’ve never experienced anything like that, but from now on, when I’m not up going to the bathroom or doing something, I’ll be in my seat with my seatbelt on,” he told Fox 13 News Utah.
