A Delta Air Lines flight from Milan, Italy, to Atlanta, Georgia, hit severe turbulence as it was approaching the airport on Tuesday. The turbulence caused 11 people to be injured, including both passengers and crew members.
The Airbus A350 landed safely at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport shortly before 7 p.m. The plane was carrying 151 passengers and 14 crew members.
The cause of the turbulence is under investigation. However, severe turbulence can be caused by a variety of factors, including thunderstorms, wind shear, and jet streams.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that passengers fasten their seatbelts and remain seated during all phases of flight, even when the seatbelt sign is not illuminated. If you experience turbulence, the FAA recommends that you:
- Stay seated and keep your seatbelt fastened.
- Hold on to any loose items.
- Avoid moving around the cabin.
- If you are seated in an exit row, do not unfasten your seatbelt until instructed to do so by a flight attendant.
If you are injured during turbulence, you should seek medical attention immediately.
This is the latest in a series of incidents this year in which people have been hurt when their flights hit severe turbulence. In March, one person was killed when a Bombardier CL30 jet flying from Dillant-Hopkins Airport in New Hampshire to Leesburg Executive Airport in Virginia encountered severe turbulence. That flight was forced to divert to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
In another March incident, multiple people were hospitalized after a Lufthansa flight from Austin to Frankfurt, Germany, hit turbulence and was forced to make an emergency landing at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. One day later, around 20 passengers and crew members on a Condor flight from Frankfurt to Mauritius were injured because of turbulence.
- The FAA has completed its investigation into the incident and has determined that the turbulence was caused by a combination of factors, including wind shear and a thunderstorm.
- The FAA has issued a safety advisory to airlines reminding them of the importance of following procedures for turbulence avoidance and passenger safety.
- The injured passengers have been released from the hospital and are recovering.
- Delta Air Lines has offered to reimburse the passengers for their medical expenses and other costs.
The FAA‘s safety advisory states that turbulence can be severe enough to cause injuries or even death and that passengers should always follow the instructions of the flight crew during all phases of flight. The advisory also reminds airlines to properly train their flight crews on turbulence avoidance procedures.
This incident is a reminder of the importance of safety in air travel. Passengers should always follow the instructions of the flight crew and take steps to protect themselves during turbulence. Airlines should also take steps to ensure that their flight crews are properly trained on turbulence avoidance procedures.