Title: Delta Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Rome After Being Hit by Hailstorm
Byline: Allie Griffin | July 24, 2023 | 10:36pm
A Delta flight traveling from Milan to New York was compelled to make an emergency landing in Rome after encountering severe turbulence caused by a hailstorm.
Passengers onboard the aircraft reported that just 15 minutes after takeoff, the plane was hit by turbulence that felt like being on a roller coaster ride. The hailstorm caused extensive damage to the nose cone and the fuselage near the wings, as depicted in photos shared by passengers online.
Steven Coury, a traveler onboard, described the intense storm as hail pounded on the roof of the plane. He also witnessed the wing shaking violently and flashes of light similar to lightning striking the aircraft. Passengers were understandably concerned for their safety.
The New York-bound Delta flight with 215 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots successfully landed in Rome without any injuries reported. Delta Airlines stated that the diversion was a result of the extreme weather conditions.
A Delta spokesperson revealed that maintenance personnel in Rome were conducting a thorough evaluation of the aircraft to determine the extent of the damage. Coury noted that the tip of the nose was caved in, and both engines and wings appeared to be battered.
Despite the terrifying experience, all passengers were safely evacuated from the plane upon landing in Rome. Delta Airlines will now assess the necessary repairs and maintenance to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness before the resumption of scheduled flights.
With the incident highlighting the importance of safety measures during turbulent weather conditions, Delta Airlines will undoubtedly review their protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.