Delta Air Lines flight 56 from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam diverted to Minneapolis on 30 July after encountering what the airline calls “significant turbulence.” 25 people on board were taken to local hospitals after the aircraft landed safely in Minneapolis.
Delta Air Lines said the A330neo landed safely in Minneapolis around 8 pm Wednesday; 25 of the 288 onboard were taken to hospital for evaluation and treatment.
At least 25 individuals were hospitalised after a Delta Air Lines flight experienced severe turbulence, prompting an emergency landing in Minneapolis, US, on Wednesday (local time).
Delta Air Lines Flight 56 had departed from Salt Lake City and was en route to Amsterdam when it ran into rough conditions less than an hour into the nine-hour journey.
Bloomberg quoted the airline’s statement, saying that the Airbus A330neo touched down safely at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport shortly before 8 pm local time on Wednesday
Of the 288 people on board – 275 passengers and 13 crew – 25 were transported to local hospitals for assessment and treatment.
Although the precise moment of turbulence is unclear, data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft’s altitude fluctuated significantly, rising from 37,000 feet to around 38,000 feet before dropping to 36,225 feet, and eventually stabilising again at 37,000 feet.
Turbulence is a routine occurrence in aviation, but unexpected bouts can cause injuries, particularly to those not wearing seatbelts.
In a similar incident in May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore hit extreme turbulence, resulting in one fatality and over 100 injuries.
That event marked the first turbulence-related death aboard a major airline in decades.
🚨🇺🇸 Delta Flight makes an Emergency Landing as 25 people are seriously injured due to extreme turbulence
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) July 31, 2025
There are lots of Legacy Media reports now blaming increased turbulence everywhere on ‘Climate Change’
Of course this is nonsense – something else is happening in our… pic.twitter.com/45XuiTV8IL
Delta Air Lines Flight : Weather experts predicted severe storms
A Salt Lake City branch of the National Weather Service’s aviation unit warned of thunderstorm potential Wednesday, noting that severe weather was possible across Wyoming.
An aviation weather advisory for significant meteorological hazards, known as a SIGMET, was in effect when the turbulence occurred over southern Wyoming. The advisories alert pilots to severe weather events like thunderstorms or strong turbulence.
Thunderstorms were developing in much of Wyoming Wednesday evening and some in the southwestern part of the state had grown to 35,000 to 40,000 feet tall when the aircraft experienced turbulence, according to a CNN analysis of archived weather radar data.
The aircraft was at about 35,000 feet when it experienced the severe turbulence, according to a CNN analysis of Delta Air Lines Flight data.
Rising and falling air within thunderstorms is very turbulent and can be extremely dangerous to aircraft.
Investigation underway by aviation authorities
According to data from Delta Air Lines Flight tracking site Flightradar24, the Delta Air Lines Flight climbed by more than 1,000 feet in less than 30 seconds roughly 40 minutes after its departure. Delta Air Lines Flight then descended approximately 1,350 feet over the next 30 seconds.
Soon after, the plane altered its course in the direction of Minneapolis-St. Paul, where it landed safely about an hour and a half later, the data shows.
The National Transportation Safety Board told CNN it is investigating and expects a preliminary report to be ready in about a month.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the plane landed safely in St. Paul after the crew reported “severe” turbulence. The agency said it will investigate.
The FAA says turbulence is normal and happens often, but it can sometimes be dangerous, especially for those not wearing seat belts.
Last year, seven people were injured when severe turbulence rocked a United Airlines flight from Cancún to Chicago, forcing an emergency landing in Memphis, Tennessee. Five people were taken to the hospital last month, after severe turbulence hit an American Airlines flight from Miami to Raleigh, North Carolina. And in March, several flights were diverted to Waco, Texas, due to turbulence on their routes, and five passengers were taken to the hospital.
Also Read :
Air India Flight AI171 Crash: AAIB Releases Detailed Investigation Report
London Plane Crash Updates : Beech B200 Super King Air Goes Down in Flames