Last week, our firm—led by attorney Lance Milne—filed suit on behalf of twenty passengers injured during a violent turbulence incident on Delta Air Lines Flight 56 from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam. This case highlights a clear and preventable failure in aviation safety, and our firm is committed to making sure the passengers who lived through this event get the answers and accountability they deserve.
The complaint alleges that Delta’s crew and operations team had repeated, explicit warnings about dangerous weather ahead: a National Weather Service SIGMET, guidance from Delta’s own meteorologists, and a direct Air Traffic Control warning of “extreme convective activity” just 74 miles ahead. Despite those warnings, the flight continued into the storm with the seatbelt sign off and beverage service underway.
What followed was not ordinary turbulence. According to the flight data, the Airbus A330 experienced two and a half minutes of violent upset at 37,000 feet—abrupt climbs and drops, negative and elevated g‑forces, rolls up to 40 degrees, and speeds beyond the aircraft’s limits. Inside the cabin, passengers, flight attendants, carts, and debris were thrown across the aircraft. More than thirty people were transported to hospitals after landing.
The lawsuit further alleges that after the injuries occurred, the crew chose not to declare an emergency and bypassed nearer, suitable airports—continuing instead to Minneapolis so the aircraft could land at a Delta hub. Passengers endured an hour and a half surrounded by debris and injured travelers, with no clear communication from the cockpit about the safety of the flight.
The plaintiffs include families traveling with children, international visitors, and passengers from multiple states. Their injuries range from spinal trauma, concussions, and broken bones to long‑term psychological harm, including post‑traumatic stress and a fear of flying.
The claims assert liability under the Montreal Convention—an international treaty that holds carriers responsible for injuries caused by in‑flight accidents—along with negligence and negligence per se based on alleged violations of federal aviation regulations.
Attorney Lance Milne is leading the case for Mortensen & Milne. Our firm has extensive aviation litigation experience and is recognized as Utah’s top aviation personal injury firm. We routinely handle high‑stakes cases involving turbulence, mechanical failures, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death in both commercial and private aviation. Our trial‑focused approach means we investigate aggressively, build strong evidentiary records, and prepare every case as if it will be tried to a jury.
Passengers place immense trust in airlines, relying on them to follow the warnings, safety systems, and protocols designed to prevent exactly this kind of event. When that trust is broken, the law provides the path to accountability. Mortensen & Milne will pursue this case until the full truth is uncovered and these passengers receive the justice they are entitled to.