At least eight people were taken to hospitals after severe turbulence struck an Avianca flight travelling from Medellín, Colombia, to New York on Friday, October 9. The Airbus A320 diverted to Miami International Airport, where it landed at about 3:30 a.m.
The flight left Medellín at about 10:40 p.m. local time on Thursday, bound for New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. It changed course after encountering severe turbulence over the Caribbean.
Flight-tracking data cited in media reports showed the aircraft cruising at approximately 35,000 feet before descending by about 25,000 feet within minutes. The data does not establish why the aircraft descended or whether the entire drop was a direct response to the turbulence.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said multiple people were injured after the aircraft landed. Eight people were taken to hospitals, including one who was transported to Ryder Trauma Center. Emergency crews and ambulances were waiting near the aircraft.
Avianca later said that nine people—six passengers and three crew members—required medical attention. The figures may reflect different counts of people taken to hospitals and those who received medical care; the full details of their injuries were not immediately available. apnews.com
Passengers described seeing several ambulances near the plane. Video footage reported by local media appeared to show passengers holding ice packs to their heads while being asked to remain seated.
The total number of people aboard the aircraft was not immediately disclosed. Avianca said passengers who were not injured were flown to New York later Friday. The airline said the safety of its customers and employees remained its priority. apnews.com
The cause of the turbulence and the circumstances surrounding the rapid descent had not been confirmed in the available reports.
New York-Bound Flight Diverts to Miami
The flight left Medellín at about 10:40 p.m. local time on Thursday, bound for New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. It changed course after encountering severe turbulence over the Caribbean.Flight-tracking data cited in media reports showed the aircraft cruising at approximately 35,000 feet before descending by about 25,000 feet within minutes. The data does not establish why the aircraft descended or whether the entire drop was a direct response to the turbulence.
Passengers and Crew Receive Medical Care
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said multiple people were injured after the aircraft landed. Eight people were taken to hospitals, including one who was transported to Ryder Trauma Center. Emergency crews and ambulances were waiting near the aircraft.Avianca later said that nine people—six passengers and three crew members—required medical attention. The figures may reflect different counts of people taken to hospitals and those who received medical care; the full details of their injuries were not immediately available. apnews.com
Passengers described seeing several ambulances near the plane. Video footage reported by local media appeared to show passengers holding ice packs to their heads while being asked to remain seated.
Uninjured Passengers Continue to New York
The total number of people aboard the aircraft was not immediately disclosed. Avianca said passengers who were not injured were flown to New York later Friday. The airline said the safety of its customers and employees remained its priority. apnews.comThe cause of the turbulence and the circumstances surrounding the rapid descent had not been confirmed in the available reports.
