Dozens injured as Delta flight hits ‘significant’ turbulence at 37,000 feet, diverts to MSP

A Delta Air Lines flight heading from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam encountered “significant” turbulence shortly after takeoff Wednesday, sending beverage carts and other items flying through the cabin and leaving at least 25 people hurt.

Nine of the injured were taken to HCMC in downtown Minneapolis after the Airbus A330-900 diverted to the Twin Cities and landed safely at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, according to hospital spokesperson Christine Hill. The victims were treated and released, she said.

Others were treated at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park and Regions Hospital in St. Paul, according to a HealthPartners spokeswoman.

MSP’s Airport Fire Department and paramedics were on hand to evaluate the initial medical needs of passengers and crew members, according to the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

Delta Flight 56 had been in the air for about 40 minutes when it climbed to 37,000 feet and encountered turbulence the airline described as significant.

The plane reached a maximum altitude of 38,075 at 5:23 p.m., before nosediving about 1,300 feet in two minutes. The aircraft returned to 37,000 and continued on to the Twin Cities, according to Flightradar24.com, a flight tracking website.

Passenger Nick-Taylor Jensen was on the flight, headed home to Aarhus, Denmark, after being gone a week for work. He said seat belt signs were off, people were in the aisle and flight attendants were serving drinks. Then all of a sudden, the jetliner hit “extreme turbulence,” Jensen said.

Jensen, who said he has flown about 200 times in his life, said flight attendants were in shock and panicking. He overheard paramedics on the flight saying people suffered broken ribs, dislocated knees and broken legs. One was hurt badly, he said.

Jensen’s parents were also on the flight, sitting a few rows in front of him. The violent up-and-down movements caused his father to hit his head on the overhead luggage bin.

At one point, Jensen made eye contact with him, and “mutually had the feeling we were saying goodbye.”

His father, who secured his seat belt after the first major drop, was taken to a Twin Cities hospital for treatment, Jensen said.

Jensen, a father of four, called it “a very surreal experience that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.” He said he was grateful to be able to see his family again.

Jensen praised Delta employees for jumping in to care for passengers, even those who were hurt themselves. “They went above and beyond to care for us,” he said.

Turbulence is air movement that often cannot be seen and occurs unexpectedly. It can be created by many different conditions, including atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts, or thunderstorms. Turbulence can even occur when the sky appears to be clear, the FAA said.