Nine people sustained injuries when an Avianca flight bound for New York hit severe turbulence on Thursday. The flight was forced to divert to Miami following the incident.
Avianca Flight 42 was traveling from Medellín, Colombia, to John F. Kennedy International Airport. The aircraft encountered what the airline described as unexpected turbulence during the journey.
The plane landed safely at Miami International Airport, where emergency crews met the aircraft. Injured passengers and crew members received medical attention upon arrival.
Details on the severity of the injuries have not been released. It remains unclear how many of the injured required hospital treatment versus on-site care.
Turbulence-related incidents have grown more common in recent years. Climate patterns and shifting jet streams are among the factors researchers cite for the increase.
Modern aircraft are built to withstand extreme turbulence without structural failure. Injuries typically occur when passengers are not seated or wearing seat belts during sudden jolts.
The Federal Aviation Administration and Avianca have not issued further statements on the event. The flight’s remaining passengers were rebooked or accommodated in Miami.
