FAA Probes Reports of Bleeding Ears and Noses Among Delta Passengers

SALT LAKE CITY — An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration has been launched following an incident involving a Delta Air Lines flight that caused serious discomfort and medical distress among passengers due to cabin pressure issues.

On Sunday, a Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, which was on a route from Salt Lake City to Portland, Oregon, experienced pressurization problems shortly after takeoff. The pilots detected the issue and made an emergency return to Salt Lake City, as documented in the flight log.

As the aircraft descended over the Great Salt Lake, passengers reported seeing fellow travelers bleeding. According to passenger Caryn Allen, the flight crew announced the return to the airport, but the reason was not disclosed at that moment. Concern heightened as oxygen masks did not deploy during this critical situation.

Allen described a chaotic scene where her husband was in visible pain, covering his ears. Other passengers rallied to assist a man nearby who was suffering from a severe nosebleed.

Another passenger, Jaci Purser, vividly recalled her own experience, saying it felt like “someone was stabbing” her inner ear. Purser expressed shock when she pulled her hand away from her ear to find it covered in blood.

Upon landing, paramedics were present at the gate to provide assistance. They identified at least ten of the 140 passengers as needing medical evaluation following the ordeal. Those with injuries were advised to seek further medical treatment, while Delta Air Lines committed to covering the costs of transportation for those in need.

In response to the incident, Delta issued an apology, stating, “We sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience on flight 1203 on September 15.” The airline emphasized that the flight crew adhered to emergency procedures, ensuring a safe return to Salt Lake City, where ground teams were on hand to address the passengers’ needs.

Following the incident, Delta removed the aircraft from service for inspection. Technicians worked to rectify the underlying issue, which had prevented the plane from maintaining pressurization above 10,000 feet. The aircraft was declared fit for operation again by Monday.

This incident highlights the potential dangers that can arise in commercial aviation due to cabin pressurization failures. The FAA’s investigation will likely focus on the specifics of what went wrong during the flight and whether adequate safety measures were in place. Such occurrences, while rare, can lead to severe health complications for passengers if not addressed promptly and effectively.

The emergency landing and the subsequent medical incidents raise serious questions about passenger safety protocols during flights, particularly in unexpected scenarios involving rapidly changing cabin pressure. Many passengers are likely reflecting on their experiences and assessing the safety measures implemented by their airline as they consider their travel plans in the future.

As the investigation unfolds, both Delta and the FAA will be under scrutiny to enhance safety practices and ensure that preventive measures are effectively in place, reducing the likelihood of such distressing incidents in the future.