Twenty-five people were hospitalized after a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam encountered severe turbulence.
July 31, 2025: A Delta Air Lines flight en route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was forced to divert to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, after encountering “significant” turbulence, resulting in 25 people requiring hospitalization.
Delta Air Lines Flight 56, an Airbus A330-900 carrying 275 passengers and 13 crew members, landed safely at MSP shortly before 8 p.m. local time. Emergency medical personnel from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Fire Department and paramedics were on hand at the gate to provide immediate care.
Of the 288 individuals on board, 25 were transported to local hospitals for “evaluation and care,” according to the airline. The exact nature and severity of their injuries have not been publicly detailed. Unofficial reports suggest the aircraft may have experienced a sudden drop in altitude during the severe turbulence, potentially around 900 feet. Radar data from the Aviation Weather Center reportedly showed a strong storm developing in the area where the incident occurred, prompting an urgent pilot report (PIREP).
Delta Air Lines emphasized that passenger safety is its top priority and stated that their Delta Care Team is actively working to support the immediate needs of the affected customers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have not yet issued official statements, but such incidents involving injuries due to turbulence are typically subject to internal airline review and potential federal investigation.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of turbulence, which can be caused by various atmospheric conditions including thunderstorms, jet streams, and air currents around mountains. While large aircraft like the Airbus A330-900 are designed to withstand significant turbulence, injuries can occur when passengers or crew are not secured. The remaining passengers’ onward journey to Amsterdam is currently being arranged.