Avianca Flight 42 Diverts to Miami After Severe Turbulence Injures Nine

Key points

• Avianca Flight 42 departed José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín at 10:40 p.m. Thursday, bound for JFK.
• The aircraft encountered severe turbulence between 2:00 and 2:30 a.m. Friday, likely over the Caribbean near Cuba or Jamaica.
• The plane diverted to Miami International Airport and landed safely at 3:30 a.m. as a precautionary measure.
• Nine individuals were injured: six passengers and three crew members. Eight were hospitalized, including one at Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center.
• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue classified the event as a Level 1 Mass Casualty Incident.
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.

Background

This incident follows a series of recent turbulence-related diversions, including a Turkish Airlines flight to Tunisia in September 2026 and an Iranian flight returning to Mashhad. The FAA has reported 40 passenger and 166 crew injuries from severe turbulence between 2009 and 2023.

How outlets are covering it

The Independent and The New York Times reported the incident as a result of 'unexpected' turbulence, with the NYT noting a correction regarding the aircraft's capacity (180, not 190). NBC 6 South Florida highlighted passenger accounts of 'incredibly intense' turbulence and showed video of passengers with ice packs. The Miami Herald provided technical analysis from AccuWeather, suggesting thunderstorms in the Caribbean may have caused the turbulence, while aviation attorney Pablo Rojas questioned why pilots did not alter their flight path earlier. All sources agree on the diversion to Miami and the hospitalization of eight individuals, though the NYT and Independent initially reported nine injured, while NBC 6 and Miami Herald specified the breakdown of crew and passengers.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the risks of severe turbulence in commercial aviation and the critical role of pilot decision-making and weather radar. The FAA investigation will determine if the turbulence was avoidable, potentially influencing future safety protocols and pilot training regarding weather avoidance in the Caribbean region.

What to watch

The FAA investigation will continue to determine the cause of the turbulence and whether the flight path could have been altered. Avianca is assisting affected passengers and crew, and the airline is expected to provide further updates on the investigation and support for those injured.