A number of individuals were hurt after a Delta jet originating in LA to Sydney, Australia experienced significant turbulence this past Friday.
Delta Flight 41 "experienced a brief period of turbulence" as it touched down at the Sydney airport, a representative for the carrier told. A number of the onboard staff were injured.
Local paramedics said they assessed a total of five people, and transferred three to hospital with minor injuries that included back pain and head pain. The injured ranged from their 30s to 70s.
It is the newest example of commercial jets being hit by severe turbulence, with experts pointing out that shifting climate patterns is a key driver.
There were nearly 250 travelers and fifteen staff members on the aircraft, the Delta spokesperson said, clarifying that the plane touched down "without further incident" at the airport at 06:48 local time on the day in question.
Emergency responders said they got a call just a mere three minutes ahead of the plane landed, and ambulances were ready and waiting at the airport.
Why plane turbulence is growing more frequent - and often stronger.
During the past year, two dozen individuals were injured when a Delta Airlines flight, flying from Salt Lake City, Utah to Amsterdam, experienced "considerable" turbulence just 120 minutes into the lengthy trip, and diverted for an precautionary landing.
Earlier this year, travelers and staff on a Singapore Airlines flight experienced a frightening short but intense of severe turbulence. A traveler passed away and dozens were injured, as those without seatbelts were thrown from their seats and fell back down.
In-flight turbulence is fairly routine while flying, and while instances of strong or severe turbulence appear to be increasing, they are remained quite uncommon.
Estimates show that there are approximately five thousand cases of severe or worse turbulence every year, out of a total of in excess of 35 million flights that currently occur globally.
Intense turbulence is defined as when the sudden jolts of a plane going through rough air masses apply greater than a significant G-force on your body - enough to propel you from your seat if you were not fastened by a safety belt.
As global warming shifts weather patterns, specialists caution that air travel could become bumpier: warming trends and shifting wind patterns in the upper atmosphere are projected to heighten the frequency and intensity of severe turbulence.
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