Overview
- Delta Flight 2311 experienced a sudden pressurization fault on Sunday, Sept. 6, and the crew initiated a rapid descent of roughly 27,000 feet to an altitude around 9,000–10,000 feet before diverting to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
- Oxygen masks deployed automatically in the cabin and passengers reported distress during the descent, though no serious injuries were reported and all 174 passengers and six crew disembarked normally.
- Air traffic control and cockpit audio captured the crew declaring a rapid descent and confirming oxygen deployment, and passenger social posts supplied much of the on-the-ground detail about the experience.
- Delta arranged a replacement aircraft so travelers could continue to Salt Lake City and the plane involved returned to service within hours, a timeline that aviation analysts say can be consistent with a minor valve or software issue.
- Formal technical findings have not been released and aviation safety procedures require regulator review, so investigators from agencies such as the FAA or NTSB are expected to examine the pressurization system and software as the next step.