Turkish Airlines Flight Diverts After Three Stormy Landing Attempts in Tunisia

Key points

• Flight TK 661 experienced severe turbulence while approaching Tunis-Carthage International Airport on September 10, 2026.
• The pilot attempted to land three times, with the third attempt involving a significant drop in altitude described by passengers as a 'plummet.'
• Passengers, including Marina Maiskaya, shared video footage showing screaming and panic, with one passenger shouting 'We will die.'
• The aircraft was diverted to Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, located approximately 60 miles south of Tunis, and landed safely.
• No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, and the incident is attributed to severe storm conditions.

Background

This incident follows a series of high-profile aviation disruptions in 2026, including an Alaska Airlines flight halt at Miami International Airport in August due to a passenger disturbance and a Southwest flight attendant's death in Hawaii in August. These events highlight ongoing concerns regarding flight safety and passenger security, though the current incident is distinct as it was caused by weather-related turbulence rather than human behavior or security threats.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post and NDTV both emphasize the terror experienced by passengers, citing video evidence of screams and the passenger's account of the plane 'plummeting.' NDTV specifically notes that passengers feared a fourth landing attempt, leading to panic. In contrast, 41NBC News contextualizes this event within a broader trend of midair disturbances, linking it to separate incidents involving Qatar Airways and American Airlines flights where unruly passengers were restrained. While the primary sources focus on the weather-induced turbulence, 41NBC frames it as part of a wider pattern of in-flight disruptions, though it does not conflate the causes. All sources agree on the safe diversion and landing, with no injuries reported.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the critical role of pilot decision-making in adverse weather conditions and the importance of airport diversion protocols. It also highlights the psychological impact of severe turbulence on passengers, as evidenced by the viral video footage. The safe resolution of the incident reinforces the reliability of airline safety procedures, even in extreme weather scenarios.

What to watch

There is no indication of further action or investigation beyond the safe landing. Turkish Airlines has not issued a public statement, and no regulatory inquiries have been reported. The incident is expected to be treated as a weather-related event with no long-term implications for the airline's operations.