The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into a recent Delta Air Lines flight that experienced severe turbulence, leading to injuries among passengers and crew members. The incident occurred as the Airbus A350 was approaching its destination, Atlanta, on a flight from Milan, Italy. Preliminary findings are expected within two to three weeks.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a total of 12 individuals were injured during the turbulence, with one member of the flight crew sustaining serious injuries, along with three cabin crew members and eight passengers with minor injuries. Despite the turbulence, the flight eventually landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Turbulence-related incidents are not uncommon in aviation, as highlighted in a 2021 NTSB report. Passengers on the affected Delta flight described a sudden drop in altitude during the turbulence, causing alarm and fear among those on board. Some passengers were taken off the aircraft on stretchers after landing, and injuries were observed, including a cracked storage bin where a passenger hit her head.
Despite the terrifying experience, one passenger emphasized that this incident would not deter her from flying in the future. The investigation aims to determine the causes and circumstances surrounding the turbulence encountered by the Delta flight.
