On July 30, 2025, Delta Air Lines Flight DL56, en route from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Amsterdam, Netherlands, was struck by severe turbulence, resulting in an emergency landing at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. The incident left at least 25 passengers and crew members requiring hospital evaluation, highlighting the unpredictable nature of turbulence and raising concerns about aviation safety in an era of increasing atmospheric instability. This article provides a detailed account of the incident, its impact on passengers and crew, the response from emergency services, and the broader implications for air travel safety, drawing on firsthand accounts, official statements, and expert analysis.
The Incident: A Sudden and Violent Disruption
Flight DL56, operated on an Airbus A330-900, departed Salt Lake City at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time (23:30 BST) with 275 passengers and 13 crew members on board. The flight was expected to be a routine transatlantic journey, covering a distance of approximately 4,900 miles over eight hours. However, just 90 minutes into the flight, the aircraft encountered what Delta described as “significant turbulence” while cruising at an altitude of around 37,000 feet over southwestern Wyoming.
According to passenger Joseph Carbone, who spoke to Fox Salt Lake City, the turbulence struck in three distinct waves, each more intense than the last. “The first sudden plunge happened about 90 minutes into the journey,” Carbone recounted. “It caused flight attendants to lose their balance while serving food and drinks. Each wave got worse, and people started screaming.” He claimed the pilot later informed him that the plane had plunged approximately 1,000 feet during the most severe moment, though Delta has not officially confirmed this figure. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicates the aircraft briefly climbed to 38,075 feet before dropping to 35,775 feet in about 90 seconds, a rapid altitude change that underscores the intensity of the disturbance.
Passenger William Webster, a frequent flyer who takes approximately 80 flights a year, described the experience as “the craziest turbulence I’ve ever seen in my life.” In an interview with CNN, he likened the sensation to a “300-foot-tall roller coaster drop” where passengers and crew were lifted out of their seats, restrained only by their seatbelts. “There were people screaming. There was a woman crying,” Webster told ABC News. “I saw phones fly in the air. I witnessed the wine beverage cart get thrown into the ceiling of the aircraft, and glass bottles shattered everywhere.” Leann Clement-Nash, another passenger traveling with her husband, told Minneapolis ABC affiliate KSTP that the turbulence hit “out of nowhere” during dinner service, sending meal carts and unbelted passengers crashing into the cabin ceiling.
The violent motion caused significant disruption inside the cabin. Unsecured items, including service carts, food, and personal belongings, were flung about, creating a chaotic and frightening environment. Passengers who were not wearing seatbelts were particularly vulnerable, with several reportedly striking the ceiling before falling back to the floor. “They hit the ceiling, and then they fell to the ground,” Clement-Nash told ABC News. “It happened several times, so it was really scary.”
Emergency Landing and Medical Response
Faced with the severity of the turbulence and the resulting injuries, the flight crew made the decision to divert the aircraft to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, approximately 1,000 miles from its intended destination. The plane landed safely at around 7:45 p.m. Central Time on July 30, 2025, just over two hours after takeoff. Upon arrival, the aircraft was met by the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport Fire Department and paramedics, who provided immediate medical attention to those in need.
Delta Air Lines reported that 25 individuals—18 passengers and 7 crew members—were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. The airline confirmed on Thursday, July 31, that all seven crew members and the passengers who shared their status with Delta had been treated and released, indicating that no serious injuries were reported. However, the exact nature of the injuries remains undisclosed, as Delta did not respond to inquiries about the condition of those hospitalized. Local health systems, including HealthPartners and Allina Health, confirmed they were assessing and treating passengers from the flight but provided no further details on the severity of the injuries.
The rapid response from emergency services was widely praised. Delta issued a statement expressing gratitude for the support of all emergency responders involved, noting, “We are grateful for the support of all emergency responders involved.” The airline also emphasized that safety is its “No. 1 value” and stated that its DeltaCare Team was working directly with affected passengers to address their immediate needs and coordinate onward travel. A special flight was arranged from Minneapolis to Amsterdam on Thursday evening to ensure passengers could continue their journey.
The Role of Turbulence in Aviation Safety
Turbulence, defined by the National Weather Service as “irregular motion of the air resulting from a whirl of air, known as ‘eddies’ and vertical currents,” is one of the most unpredictable weather phenomena affecting aviation. Severe turbulence, as experienced by Flight DL56, can cause large and abrupt changes in altitude or attitude, sometimes rendering the aircraft momentarily out of control. Occupants may be “forced violently against their seat belts,” increasing the risk of injury, particularly for those who are not restrained.
The turbulence encountered by Flight DL56 likely occurred over an area of southwestern Wyoming identified earlier that day by the National Weather Service’s aviation unit as a potential trouble spot due to thunderstorm activity. A Significant Meteorological Information advisory (SIGMET) was in effect at the time, warning of severe weather across the region. Despite this, the pilot of Flight DL56 informed passengers that the aircraft was flying above the altitude where most storms typically occur, suggesting the turbulence was unexpected. Joseph Carbone recalled the pilot’s apology over the intercom, explaining that the sudden disturbance caught the crew off guard.
Turbulence-related injuries, while rare, are not unprecedented. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), between 2009 and 2022, 163 people in the United States suffered serious injuries from turbulence, defined as requiring hospitalization for more than 48 hours. Most of these incidents involved flight attendants, who are more vulnerable due to their movement around the cabin during flights. In 2024 alone, 23 people—20 of whom were crew members—were seriously injured in turbulence events, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data. The May 2024 Singapore Airlines incident, which resulted in one passenger’s death and numerous injuries after a Boeing 777-300 dropped 6,000 feet over the Indian Ocean, marked the first turbulence-related fatality on a major airline in decades.
Climate Change and the Future of Turbulence
Scientists have increasingly pointed to climate change as a factor in the rising frequency and intensity of turbulence. Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading, told the BBC that severe turbulence could double or triple globally in the coming decades due to changes in the jet stream caused by global warming. “In-flight turbulence may become more common with climate change,” noted a report from the Associated Press, highlighting how altered atmospheric conditions are creating more precarious flying environments.
The jet stream, a fast-moving band of air in the upper atmosphere, is particularly susceptible to climate-driven disruptions. As global temperatures rise, the temperature gradient between the Arctic and lower latitudes weakens, causing the jet stream to become more unstable. This instability can lead to stronger and more frequent clear-air turbulence, which is particularly dangerous because it is invisible to radar and difficult for pilots to anticipate. The incident involving Flight DL56 underscores the challenges pilots face in navigating increasingly unpredictable skies.
Passenger Safety and Preventative Measures
The Delta Air Lines incident has reignited discussions about passenger safety during turbulence. Experts universally agree that keeping seatbelts fastened at all times when seated is the most effective way to prevent injuries. “Just about everybody who is injured by turbulence is someone who was not seat belted during the turbulence,” Paul Williams told USA Today. Clear-air turbulence, in particular, can strike without warning, leaving little time for pilots to activate the seatbelt sign. Leann Clement-Nash emphasized that the passengers injured on Flight DL56 were those not wearing seatbelts, highlighting the critical importance of this safety measure.
In response to the incident, Delta Air Lines is cooperating with an NTSB investigation to determine the precise cause of the turbulence and evaluate whether it could have been anticipated or avoided. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News that a “full-scale review” is underway to assess whether the weather conditions could have been better predicted. The investigation may also examine the aircraft’s response to the turbulence and the crew’s decision-making process during the crisis.
Broader Context: Recent Aviation Incidents
The turbulence incident on Flight DL56 is part of a series of aviation safety concerns reported in 2025. In January, a midair collision over Washington, D.C., claimed 67 lives, while a plane crash in Toronto in March and an emergency evacuation due to a smoking jet at Denver International Airport the previous weekend have heightened public awareness of aviation risks. Other turbulence-related incidents this year include a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Singapore in March, which injured five people, and an American Airlines flight from Miami to Raleigh-Durham in June, which sent five passengers to the hospital. These events underscore the need for ongoing improvements in weather forecasting, pilot training, and passenger safety protocols.
Delta’s Response and Passenger Support
Delta Air Lines has taken proactive steps to support the affected passengers and crew. In addition to arranging a special flight to Amsterdam, the airline’s DeltaCare Team has been working directly with customers to address their immediate needs, such as rebooking flights and providing compensation for medical expenses or inconvenience. The airline’s statement emphasized its commitment to safety and its appreciation for the swift response of emergency services. However, Delta has faced scrutiny in recent days for unrelated incidents, including the arrest of a pilot in Stockholm for failing a breathalyzer test and the arrest of a co-pilot in San Francisco on suspicion of sex crimes against a child. These events, while unrelated to the turbulence incident, have added to the airline’s public relations challenges.
Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance
The severe turbulence experienced by Delta Air Lines Flight DL56 serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable forces at play in air travel. While the quick response of the flight crew and emergency services ensured that no serious injuries were reported, the incident highlights the importance of adhering to safety protocols, particularly the use of seatbelts. As climate change continues to alter atmospheric conditions, the aviation industry faces growing challenges in predicting and mitigating turbulence. Ongoing investigations by the NTSB and advancements in weather forecasting technology will be critical in enhancing safety for future flights. For now, passengers are urged to remain vigilant, keeping their seatbelts fastened and heeding the advice of aviation experts to minimize the risks of such harrowing experiences.
