The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a Delta Airlines flight after a pressurization problem caused some passengers to complain of ruptured eardrums and nosebleeds, forcing the plane to turn back.
On Sunday, the Boeing 737-900 plane was en route from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Portland, Oregon, when a pressurization problem forced it to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City.
Passenger Caryn Allen told KSL-TV she looked across and saw her husband leaning forward in his seat with his hands covering his ears. Allen then realized other passengers were in pain too, and “I looked across the aisle to the row behind me and there was a guy who obviously had a bad nosebleed and people were trying to help him,” she said.
Similarly, another passenger, Jaci Purser, told the TV station she felt someone stab her ear and then it exploded. “I grabbed my ear and when I pulled my hand away there was blood,” Purser said.
After the emergency landing, emergency responders determined that at least 10 of the 140 passengers on board required medical attention, and Delta offered to pay for their transport to hospital.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to customers on Flight 1203 on September 15. The crew followed procedure to return to SLC and our ground teams responded to customers’ immediate needs,” Delta said in a statement after the incident, reported KSLTV.
“Delta technicians successfully resolved the aircraft pressurization issue. The aircraft was grounded the morning of September 15th and returned to service on September 16th,” the airline added.
The FAA said it is investigating the incident.
