A Delta Air Lines flight from Milan to Atlanta encountered severe turbulence that led to 11 passengers being hospitalized. The extent of the injuries has not yet been disclosed, but some passengers had to be stretchered off the aircraft.
On Tuesday, Delta flight DL175 from Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL) was hit by severe turbulence on approach to Atlanta. The aircraft – an Airbus A350 – had 151 passengers and 14 crew onboard, with many reportedly lifted out of their seats during the ordeal.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), turbulence hit when the flight was around 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. While the plane landed safely in Atlanta just before 19:00, several had been injured due to the turbulence, and the flight was met by first responders.
Delta has confirmed that both passengers and crew were injured but did not comment on the extent of the injuries. The airline added that Customs and Border Protection officials allowed those hospitalized to be processed and cleared properly.
A passenger on the flight, Ayo Suber, told CNN that the initial 10 hours of the flight were normal before turbulence hit as the plane approached Atlanta. Suber said the aircraft suddenly dropped, adding “that’s when I thought we were crashing.” She also recounted a woman sitting in the middle aisle who was thrown out of her seat, banging her head on the overhead storage bins.
“On August 29 chaos broke out on Delta Air Lines Flight 175, with violent turbulence injuring passengers and people falling from their seats, overhead bins cracking and flight attendants also injured.” Uncle Hui (@alexcmhwee) September 1, 2023
The crew then informed passengers that first responders would be waiting for the aircraft’s arrival. Footage shows some passengers had to be stretchered off, while another appears to be in a neck brace.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has now launched an investigation into the incident. The investigation will look into a variety of factors, including flight data, weather conditions and the crew response.
The NTSB commented, “NTSB has opened an investigation into the Aug. 29 turbulence event on Delta # 175. The Airbus A350 was en route from Milan, Italy, when flight encountered severe turbulence on approach to its planned destination of Atlanta, Georgia. A preliminary report is expected in 2-3 weeks.”
Simple Flying reported a few turbulence incidents this summer, including a British Airways flight that had to turn back to Singapore after five crew members were injured and later hospitalized. In December, Hawaiian Airlines passengers went through one of the worst turbulence experiences in recent years, injuring more than 35 – many of which were severe injuries – which later resulted in a lawsuit against the airline.
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