Severe turbulence affected passengers and crew aboard the Medellín-to-New York flight before it landed safely at Miami International Airport.
MIAMI, FL — Eight people were taken to hospitals Friday after severe turbulence struck an Avianca flight traveling from Medellín, Colombia, to New York, prompting the crew to divert the aircraft to Miami International Airport, authorities and the airline said.
Avianca Flight 42 was headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport when the crew reported severe turbulence and changed course for Miami. The Airbus A320 landed safely at about 3:25 a.m. Oct. 9, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded after the plane arrived and transported eight people to hospitals. One person suffered severe injuries and was taken to a trauma center, according to authorities.
Avianca said nine people aboard the flight were affected by the turbulence, including six passengers and three crew members. The difference between that figure and the eight people transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reflects the number affected compared with those taken to medical facilities. Officials had not released detailed information on the conditions of the other patients by Friday evening.
The airline described the turbulence as unexpected and said the diversion was made as a precaution under its safety procedures. Avianca said it remained in contact with the affected passengers and crew members while its airport team worked to assist travelers after the unscheduled landing. The airline said passengers who were not injured were flown to New York later Friday morning.
Passengers and people at the airport described seeing a large emergency response waiting near the aircraft after it landed. Local television footage showed ambulances and rescue crews at the airport and later showed patients arriving at hospitals. Officials have not released the identities of those who were hospitalized.
The FAA said it is investigating the incident. Authorities had not announced a specific cause for the turbulence beyond the crew’s report of severe conditions during the flight. Although weather was reported in the region, officials had not established whether it caused the turbulence. The exact point along the route where the aircraft encountered the most severe conditions also had not been formally detailed by federal investigators.
The incident highlights the danger posed by sudden turbulence, which can occur with little warning even during otherwise routine commercial flights. Serious turbulence injuries remain uncommon, but federal aviation officials regularly advise passengers to remain buckled while seated because unexpected movement can throw unrestrained occupants inside an aircraft.
The International Air Transport Association has reported an increase in turbulence reports in recent years, while researchers have studied whether changes in atmospheric conditions could contribute to more frequent episodes in some regions. Those broader trends do not establish what caused the turbulence aboard Avianca Flight 42, and investigators had not linked Friday’s incident to climate or any particular weather system.
Avianca said safety remained the foundation of its operations and that it continued to support the passengers and crew members affected by the flight. The FAA investigation remained underway Friday, with no additional findings or detailed medical updates publicly released.
Author note: Last updated October 9, 2026.