Summary (tl;dr)

An Avianca flight en route from Medellín, Colombia, to New York City experienced severe turbulence, forcing an emergency diversion and landing at Miami International Airport, resulting in injuries to at least eight passengers and crew members.

Essential Background

Commercial flights occasionally encounter turbulence, which is an irregular motion of air resulting from atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts, or thunderstorms. While most turbulence is mild, severe turbulence can cause violent shifts in altitude and pose a risk to passenger and crew safety, particularly for those not securely fastened in their seats.

The Full Story

On Friday morning, Avianca Flight 42 (also referred to as Flight 252 in some reports), an international service from José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, Colombia, bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City, encountered a severe bout of unexpected turbulence. The violent shaking of the aircraft led to at least eight, and potentially nine, individuals—including both passengers and crew—sustaining injuries. One person was reportedly rushed to a trauma center due to the severity of their injuries, while others were transported to area hospitals, including Jackson Memorial Hospital, for evaluation and treatment of moderate-to-severe head and shoulder injuries. The flight was subsequently diverted to Miami International Airport (MIA), where it made a safe emergency landing around 3:30 a.m. local time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since launched an investigation into the incident.

Why It Matters

This incident underscores the inherent risks of severe in-flight turbulence and highlights the critical importance of passengers adhering to safety instructions, such as keeping seatbelts fastened even when the seatbelt sign is off, as unbuckled individuals are more susceptible to injury. Although serious injuries from turbulence are relatively rare, there is a growing concern among scientists that such events may become more frequent due to changes in jet stream patterns influenced by climate change. The ongoing investigation by the FAA will be crucial in understanding the specific circumstances of this event and potentially informing future aviation safety protocols.

Geographic Location

• José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia (origin of Avianca Flight 42/252)
• Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States (emergency landing and passenger treatment)
• Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States (injured passengers treated)