MIAMI, United States – Eight passengers have been hospitalised after severe turbulence forced a New York-bound Avianca flight to divert to Miami, with reports indicating that the aircraft experienced sudden drops in altitude during the incident.
Avianca Flight 042 departed Medellín, Colombia, on October 9, bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York but was diverted to Miami International Airport (MIA) following the turbulence.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) confirmed that multiple passengers were injured, with eight people taken to hospital after the aircraft landed at approximately 3:30 am on Friday.
The extent of their injuries had not been established at the time of reporting.
Passengers Injured During Severe Turbulence
Passengers described a frightening experience as the aircraft was rocked by sudden movements, with videos recorded inside the cabin showing confusion and distress.
Some footage showed passengers with ice packs on their heads as they were instructed to remain seated with their seat belts fastened.
Reports indicated that loose belongings, carry-on bags and passengers were thrown around the cabin during the turbulence.
Hospital officials reportedly said some of the injured passengers sustained moderate to severe head and shoulder injuries.
Maria Paula Jimenez, one of the passengers, told CBS News Miami in Spanish that several ambulances were waiting when the aircraft arrived at Miami International Airport.
“Seven of them with their lights on as if they were waiting for something,” she said.
“When we arrived, well, you know, it wasn’t normal,” Jimenez added.
Another passenger told NBC6 that the incident had left her shaken and grateful to be alive.
“I don’t want to go out. I only want to go back home,” the woman said.
“What I can tell you is you value your life so much when something like that happens,” she added.
Flight Diverted To Miami
The aircraft landed safely at Miami International Airport, where emergency responders attended to the injured passengers.
The diversion meant the flight did not complete its scheduled journey to New York as planned.
Severe turbulence can cause injuries when passengers or unsecured objects are thrown around an aircraft cabin, particularly when occupants are not wearing seat belts.
The circumstances surrounding the turbulence, including the reported changes in altitude, had not been fully detailed in the available reports.
Separate American Airlines Flight Diverted Over Toilet Problems
The Avianca incident comes days after an American Airlines flight travelling from Madrid to Dallas-Fort Worth was diverted to New York because of a problem with the number of functioning toilets on board.
American Airlines Flight 37, a Boeing 777-200ER carrying more than 280 people, departed Madrid on October 6 for the approximately 10-hour journey to Texas.
The aircraft was diverted to John F. Kennedy International Airport after the crew reported that too few lavatories remained operational.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the diversion in a statement.
“American Airlines Flight 37 landed at JFK International Airport in New York after the crew reported an inadequate number of operational lavatories,” the FAA said.
The aircraft reportedly had only two functioning toilets, compared with the eight typically available on the aircraft type.
The two incidents involved separate flights and unrelated operational problems, with one prompted by severe turbulence and the other by a shortage of functioning lavatories.
