Sydney, Australia: A Delta Air Lines long-haul flight from Los Angeles to Sydney encountered severe turbulence during its descent on Friday morning, injuring multiple crew members and prompting an emergency medical response upon landing.
Delta Flight DL41, operated by an Airbus A350, was carrying 245 passengers and 15 crew members when it experienced what the airline described as a “brief but strong” turbulence event shortly before arrival. The aircraft landed safely at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport between approximately 6:40 am and 6:48 am local time, with emergency services already on standby.
Paramedics assessed five individuals on arrival. Those patients included a woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s, both of whom had back pain, a woman in her 30s with a headache and back pain, a woman in her 70s with knee pain and another person of unspecified age and gender with eye pain.
Three members were transported to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for further treatment, with all injuries reported as non-life-threatening. The airline said that the injuries were limited to crew members, 4 crew faced minor injuries.
Witness accounts and local reports suggested the turbulence was sudden and forceful, with cabin crew reportedly thrown into the air during the incident. The turbulence occurred during the aircraft’s final approach phase, a critical stage of flight when seatbelt compliance is essential.
Weather conditions in the Sydney region at the time included strong onshore winds, although authorities stated there was no direct link to Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which was affecting parts of Australia. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft adjusted its approach path, entering from the northwest approximately 50 km off the New South Wales coast before landing.
Delta Air Lines said its priority remains the safety and well-being of passengers and crew, adding that it is supporting the injured staff following the incident. The aircraft itself was not reported to have sustained any damage, and operations at the airport continued normally after the landing.
