Delta Airlines Flight Experiences Scary Pressurization Issue, Injuring 10 Passengers

On Sunday, Delta Airlines Flight 1203, departing from Salt Lake City, Utah, encountered a severe pressurization issue that led to multiple passengers suffering ruptured eardrums and bloody noses.

The Boeing 737-900 was en route to Portland International Airport when the incident occurred shortly after takeoff around 8:30 a.m. Passengers reported sudden and intense pressure in their ears and noses as the plane climbed to 10,000 feet.

Jaci Purser, one of the affected passengers, described the experience as excruciating, saying, “It felt like someone was stabbing me in the ear. I felt my ear pop from the cabin pressure and then begin to bubble.” She recounted seeing blood on her hand after grabbing her ear.

The plane reportedly dipped shortly after takeoff before circling the Salt Lake City area. The crew decided to return to Salt Lake City International Airport to address the issue. According to aviation expert Walker, the pilots attempted to troubleshoot the problem while in the air to avoid returning to the airport or making a detour, as flying at lower altitudes consumes more fuel.

Walker speculated that the crew requested to fly over the Great Salt Lake to safely conduct emergency procedures and diagnose the problem. Ultimately, the decision was made to return to the airport. Delta Air Lines has since addressed the pressurization issue, and the aircraft was returned to service on Monday.

In a statement, Delta Air Lines apologized for the distressing experience, stating, “We sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience on flight 1203 on September 15. The flight crew followed procedures to return to SLC, where our teams on the ground supported our customers with their immediate needs.” Medical personnel met the flight upon arrival and evaluated or treated ten passengers affected by the incident.