September 20th 2024.
Passengers on a Delta Airlines flight from Utah to Oregon were in for a terrifying experience as their journey took an unexpected turn. The flight, which was bound for Portland International Airport, had to make a sudden return to Salt Lake City just minutes after takeoff. The reason? The cabin failed to pressurize as the plane ascended into the air.
As the Boeing 737-900 aircraft took off from Salt Lake City at 8:30am, passengers began to feel discomfort in their noses and ears. Some described it as a sharp pain, while others felt like their ears were about to burst. One passenger, Jaci Purser, told KSL TV that it felt like someone was stabbing her in the ear. She was shocked to find blood on her hand when she pulled it away from her ear.
It turns out that Purser was not the only one who experienced this discomfort. In total, 10 passengers had to be treated by paramedics at the airport for burst eardrums and bloody noses. Purser's ear even began to bubble due to the sudden change in cabin pressure. She was later diagnosed with a ruptured eardrum and given medication to help with the pain and inflammation.
According to those on board, the plane dipped shortly after takeoff and then circled the Salt Lake City area before returning to the airport. The Federal Aviation Association reported that Delta Airlines had informed them of a possible pressurization issue while the plane was at 10,000 feet. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the incident.
Despite the alarming situation, some passengers were surprised to learn that Delta Airlines did not inform them of the issue or provide an explanation for the return to the departure airport. However, former Delta Airlines pilot Valerie Walker explained that the captain likely noticed the issue and attempted to fix it before deciding to return to the airport. She also mentioned that the safety of the passengers is always the top priority for pilots.
Walker further explained that airlines only make money when the planes are in the air, and they strive to fix any issues while in flight. However, if there is any concern for the safety of the passengers, the plane will be diverted to the nearest airport for repairs. In this case, the retired pilot believes that the issue was not caused by the pilot, and the decision to return to the airport was the best course of action.
After returning to Salt Lake City, paramedics attended to the 10 affected passengers, but others may have sought their own medical treatment upon landing. The plane has since been examined and repaired by technicians and is now back in service. Metro has reached out to Delta Airlines for a comment on the incident.
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