An Avianca flight bound for New York City made an emergency landing at Miami International Airport early Friday after encountering severe turbulence that left nine people injured, according to airline and fire rescue officials. The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into the incident.
Avianca Flight 42 departed Medellín, Colombia, en route to John F. Kennedy International Airport when the aircraft experienced what officials described as severe turbulence. The crew diverted to Miami, landing safely around 3:30 a.m. local time, CBS News reported.
Injury counts differ between agencies
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue initially reported eight people were transported to area hospitals, with one patient requiring trauma center care. However, Avianca officials later told CBS News Miami that nine people sustained injuries — three crew members and six passengers. The discrepancy in numbers has not been publicly reconciled by either agency.
Passenger Maria Paula Jimenez, who was aboard the flight, described the scene upon arrival. "When we arrived, when we landed, we saw that very close to where we were going to disembark, there were more than five or six ambulances. Seven of them with their lights on as if they were waiting for something," Jimenez told CBS News Miami in Spanish. "When we arrived, well, you know, it wasn't normal."
Flight origin and diversion details
The flight originated in Medellín, Colombia's second-largest city and a major hub for Avianca, the country's flag carrier. The planned route would have taken the aircraft northwest across the Caribbean and up the U.S. Eastern Seaboard to New York. Miami International Airport, a major gateway for Latin American traffic, served as the nearest suitable diversion point with full emergency services.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units staged at the airport ahead of the landing, indicating the crew declared an emergency while still airborne. The aircraft taxied to a gate where medical personnel could access passengers directly.
Passenger care and continuation
Avianca said its airport team is assisting the remaining passengers with arrangements to continue their journey to New York City. The airline has not specified whether the same aircraft will be used or if a replacement has been dispatched. Passengers not requiring medical attention were deplaned normally after the injured were transported.
FAA investigation underway
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed to CBS News Miami that it will investigate the turbulence encounter. FAA investigations of this type typically examine weather data along the flight path, the aircraft's maintenance records, crew actions, and any available flight recorder data. The agency will also review whether the seatbelt sign was illuminated at the time of the turbulence.
Severe turbulence remains one of the leading causes of in-flight injuries to passengers and crew who are not seated with seatbelts fastened. The National Transportation Safety Board has previously recommended improved turbulence detection and reporting systems across the aviation industry.
Why this matters for travelers
This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of clear-air turbulence, which can occur without visual warning and is difficult for radar to detect. For the large Colombian diaspora and business travelers who rely on the Medellín–New York corridor — one of the busiest routes between South America and the United States — the diversion underscores the importance of keeping seatbelts fastened whenever seated. The FAA's findings may inform future safety bulletins for carriers operating in the region.