Avianca Medellín-New York Flight Diverts to Miami After Turbulence Injures 8

Eight people were taken to hospital after severe turbulence forced an Avianca flight from Colombia to divert to Miami International Airport on Friday morning. The aircraft, which was heading to New York, landed safely at 3:30 a.m. on 9 October 2026.

Key facts

• Flight: Avianca Flight 42, an Airbus A320
• Route: Medellín to John F. Kennedy International Airport, diverted to Miami
• Injured: three crew members and six passengers were impacted, according to the airline
• Hospitalised: eight people taken to hospital by ambulance, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said
• Landed: safely at 3:30 a.m. on 9 October 2026

What happened on board?

Avianca Flight 42 departed from Medellín and was flying to John F. Kennedy International Airport when it ran into unexpected turbulence, a spokesperson for the airline said in a statement. The plane was diverted to Miami "as a precautionary measure and in accordance with the airline's safety protocols" and landed safely, the statement added.

Flight data from FlightRadar24 shows the Airbus A320 climbed to around 36,000 feet as it flew over Cuba before making a sharp descent, dropping around 25,000 feet in minutes, about three hours into the flight. A passenger on board, Pilar, said there were at least three very strong bouts of turbulence.

Who was hurt?

Avianca said three crew members and six passengers were impacted, though the extent of their injuries was not known. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it responded to "multiple patients injured by turbulence," and eight people were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Cellphone video from inside the plane appeared to show people with ice packs on their heads as they were instructed to keep their seat belts on. Passengers arriving at the hospital included people on stretchers, among them a flight attendant still in her uniform and a woman wearing a neck brace.

What happens to the other passengers?

Avianca said its airport team was assisting the remaining passengers to make the necessary arrangements so they could continue their journey to New York City. The airline said it remains in contact with the affected passengers and crew members.

What this means for travellers

Travellers booked on the Medellín to New York route should be aware that severe turbulence can lead to diversions and delays to their journey. Avianca advised that its team would help affected passengers make arrangements to reach their final destination.

The airline said the safety of its customers and employees remains the fundamental pillar of its operation. No further details about the condition of those hospitalised were given.