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Nearly two dozen passengers aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam are suing the carrier, claiming pilots “recklessly flew” directly into severe thunderstorms last year, causing extreme turbulence that tossed people around the cabin and left multiple people injured.

The lawsuit, filed late last week in Utah’s 3rd District Court by the Aviation Law Group and Mortensen & Milne, represents 20 passengers from Delta Flight 56 on July 30, 2025. The flight encountered turbulence lasting about 2.5 minutes over Wyoming, forcing an emergency diversion to Minnesota.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report confirmed the severe turbulence, and Delta said 25 people were taken to hospitals after landing.

The passengers allege that pilots ignored multiple weather warnings, including advisories from the National Weather Service and air traffic controllers, and continued on a path that took the plane straight into dangerous conditions. The lawsuit claims the turbulence was so violent that unrestrained passengers were thrown against the ceiling, shattering interior fixtures, while loose items flew through the cabin like projectiles.

Critics argue the incident could have been avoided, especially since the seatbelt sign had been turned off at the time. The suit also questions the decision to continue flying for another 90 minutes after the turbulence instead of diverting to a closer airport, alleging it was done to save costs.

Delta has declined to comment on the active litigation, saying it is cooperating with the ongoing NTSB investigation. The final report has not yet been released.

This case highlights growing concerns about airline safety protocols during severe weather and the accountability of pilots and carriers when turbulence causes serious injuries. For the passengers involved, what should have been a routine international flight turned into a traumatic ordeal with lasting physical and emotional consequences.