Delta Air Lines Jet Hit Severe Turbulence in July, NTSB Report Reveals

A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam faced extreme turbulence on July 30. The incident left more than a dozen passengers injured and forced the plane to divert. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary findings this week.

Officials said Delta Flight 56 hit severe turbulence while flying over Wyoming. The crew made an emergency landing in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Eighteen passengers were taken to hospitals, while others were treated at the airport.

Delta Air Lines Investigation: What the NTSB Found

The NTSB report described the turbulence as intense and unusual. At one point, the aircraft climbed nearly 10,000 feet in less than 20 seconds. Soon after, it dropped 25,000 feet. This climb and descent repeated several times in minutes.

The violent movement threw passengers and crew off balance. Emergency teams treated 24 of the 246 people on board. According to Associated Press reports, 18 were taken for further medical care. Their current conditions remain unknown.

Delta Air Lines said it is fully cooperating with the investigation. The airline also expressed concern for the injured passengers. “Out of respect for the process, we will not provide more comment,” a company spokesperson said.

Why Flight Safety Matters After Recent Incidents

The Delta turbulence case comes during heightened focus on airline safety. Earlier this year, an Alaska Airlines plane lost a door plug mid-flight. In another tragedy, a collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Washington, D.C., killed more than 60 people.

These incidents remind passengers and regulators of the risks in air travel. Safety agencies are reviewing aircraft performance and emergency procedures. Airlines are under pressure to improve communication and handling of sudden in-flight events.

For passengers, the July turbulence shows how quickly conditions can change. Experts say keeping seat belts fastened, even in calm skies, is a key safety step. Investigators will continue to study weather data, aircraft systems, and crew responses.

Delta Air Lines remains under close review as the NTSB gathers more evidence. The airline says it will support the probe and focus on passenger safety.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What happened to the Delta Air Lines flight in July?

The Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam hit severe turbulence over Wyoming. The crew diverted to Minneapolis-St. Paul, where injured passengers received care.

Q2: How many passengers were hurt in the Delta turbulence?

Emergency teams treated 24 people. Eighteen of them were taken to hospitals for further evaluation, according to official reports.

Q3: What did the NTSB say in its preliminary report?

The NTSB noted the plane climbed nearly 10,000 feet and then dropped 25,000 feet in a short span. This cycle repeated three times within minutes.

Q4: Has Delta Air Lines commented on the case?

Delta confirmed it is working with investigators. The airline said it respects the process and will not give extra details for now.

Q5: Why is airline safety under close watch now?

Several serious incidents, including a mid-air door loss and a fatal crash near Washington, D.C., have raised concerns about airline safety standards.