Terrifying Mid-Air Chaos: Delta Flight Hit by Severe Turbulence, 25 Hospitalized

What started as a routine transatlantic flight turned into a terrifying ordeal for passengers on Delta Air Lines Flight 56. The Airbus A330-900, en route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam with 275 passengers and 13 crew members, experienced “significant turbulence” Wednesday evening, forcing an emergency diversion to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

According to Delta, 25 people were taken to local hospitals for evaluation and care after the aircraft landed safely shortly before 8 p.m. All have since been released.

The incident occurred just as dinner service began, catching many off-guard. “There was actually no warning. It was a very abrupt, hard hit,” said passenger Leeann Nash. “Everyone that didn’t have a seatbelt on hit the ceiling.”

Nash described a chaotic scene onboard: glass bottles flying, heavy service carts crashing to the floor, and phones tossed into the air. “It happened several times—it was really scary,” she said.

Despite the turbulence, Nash praised the flight attendants for remaining calm and composed. “They were incredibly well-trained and responsive.”