Severe Turbulence for Delta Flight 56 (NTSB report)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hornbein
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
Delta Flight 56 experienced severe turbulence, with the aircraft exceeding its maximum operating speed and climbing nearly 10,000 feet in 20 seconds before rapidly descending 25,000 feet. This climb and descent cycle occurred three times over a two- to three-minute span, leading the plane to re-enter a cloud layer. Following the incident, 24 out of 246 passengers were evaluated by emergency medical technicians, with 18 requiring transport to local hospitals for further assessment. The NTSB report highlights the resilience of commercial aircraft in withstanding such extreme conditions. The discussion also touches on the concept of "coffin corner," explaining how overspeed can occur at high altitudes due to reduced margins for lift.
Hornbein
Gold Member
Messages
3,453
Reaction score
2,848
During the flight, NTSB noted, the plane at one point reached well above maximum operating speed and lifted the aircraft about 10,000 feet in nearly 20 seconds. The plane then “rapidly” dipped 25,000 feet, per the agency.

“A climb/descent cycle repeated about three times over a two- to three-minute period, which resulted in the airplane re-entering a cloud layer,” the report reads.

“After landing, 24 of the 246 passengers were evaluated by emergency medical technicians, with 18 transported to local hospitals for additional assessment; information regarding their conditions is currently unavailable,” the report reads.

https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/5496407-ntsb-preliminary-report-delta-turbulence/
 
  • Wow
Likes FactChecker and Haborix
Physics news on Phys.org
I can do without ever experiencing that! On a more positive, it is amazing how robust commercial planes are to be able to withstand such events.
 
  • Like
Likes FactChecker, Klystron, russ_watters and 1 other person
More like 1,000 ft in 20 seconds, I think. The truth is out there...
https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/...ort_DCA25LA276_200672_9_9_2025-3_42_57-PM.pdf

Also, while not ideal, overspeed at high altitude in an event like this isn't too hard to do. You can search "coffin corner" if you want to see why. They fly fast at high altitude to generate the lift required; the margins are reduced.
 
  • Like
Likes FactChecker, russ_watters and Lnewqban
Thread 'Aero/Hydro-dynamic Streamlining as a function of medium'
My thoughts were inspired by a passing utility vehicle on the highway. They had a device strapped to their truck that had its bulk toward the rear, like one might naively do if one wanted it to slice into the wind. I thought it should have its bulk toward the front like most highly-streamlined cars do: But that got me wondering why it seems to be different for land vehicles than for aircraft. Aircraft (even subsonic craft) seem to go with the very pointy nose profile. And that reminded...
During the flight, NTSB noted, the plane at one point reached well above maximum operating speed and lifted the aircraft about 10,000 feet in nearly 20 seconds. The plane then “rapidly” dipped 25,000 feet, per the agency. “A climb/descent cycle repeated about three times over a two- to three-minute period, which resulted in the airplane re-entering a cloud layer,” the report reads. “After landing, 24 of the 246 passengers were evaluated by emergency medical technicians, with 18 transported...