Eight passengers were hospitalized following an Avianca Airlines flight en route to New York City that had to be redirected to Miami due to turbulence, as confirmed by local authorities and the airline. Greg Chin, the communications director of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, stated that Avianca Flight 042, traveling from Medellin, Colombia, to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, landed at Miami International Airport at 3:30 a.m.
Chin mentioned that eight passengers were taken to a nearby hospital, with their current conditions unknown. Avianca, in a statement to CBC, explained that the flight experienced unexpected turbulence during its journey. As a precaution and following safety protocols, the flight was diverted to Miami International Airport, where it landed safely. The airline noted that three crew members and six passengers were impacted, without specifying who was hospitalized.
The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department reported transporting one individual to the main trauma center, while seven others were taken to local hospitals via private ambulances. At 3:10 a.m., eight MDFR units responded to a medical call concerning turbulence on an aircraft.
Witnesses, including passenger Maria Paula Jimenez, described seeing multiple fire department vehicles with flashing lights on the tarmac upon the plane’s arrival in Miami. Jimenez expressed that the situation upon landing was not typical. The flight, as per Chin from Miami International Airport, was rescheduled to depart for JFK International Airport at 8:15 a.m. with the remaining passengers.
Avianca’s flight tracker displayed the departure of Flight 042 at the specified time. The airline assured that arrangements were made for the remaining passengers to continue their journey to New York while maintaining communication with those affected by the incident. Avianca emphasized that ensuring the safety of customers and employees is their top priority.