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4w ago

NTSB Details 2.5-Minute Turbulence Upset on Delta Flight 56 That Injured Seven

The preliminary report outlines extreme forces, including an overspeed condition, with a final analysis still to come.

Plane service carts, food items thrown about after turbulence onboard Delta Flight 56.
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Emergency crews at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport after Delta Air Lines Flight 56 made an emergency landing.
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Overview

  • The July 30 Airbus A330 flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam encountered severe turbulence near Creston, Wyoming, and diverted to Minneapolis.
  • Flight data show about 2.5 minutes of upset with G-forces peaking near 1.75 g before dropping below zero, rapid altitude excursions, an autopilot disconnect, a bank up to roughly 40 degrees, and an exceedance of maximum allowable speed.
  • The seatbelt sign was off and cabin service was underway, leaving unrestrained passengers, flight attendants, and service carts to strike the ceiling and causing minor interior damage.
  • Pilots had asked for routing around storms, yet an NTSB overlay indicates the jet entered a bright red cell on National Weather Service radar as onboard views showed only light cirrus and an iPad forecast depicted green turbulence.
  • The NTSB classified two serious and five minor injuries; local responders evaluated 24 people and transported 18 to hospitals after landing, and investigators are still analyzing recorders with a final report expected in 12 to 18 months.