SALT LAKE CITY, USA — Passengers aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 1203 from Salt Lake City to Portland are still recovering from a frightening pressurisation issue that resulted in injuries, including bloody noses and ruptured eardrums.
The incident, which occurred on the morning of Sunday, September 15, 2024, led to the plane’s emergency return to Salt Lake City International Airport.
Caryn Allen, a passenger on the Boeing 737-900 aircraft, described the harrowing experience, recalling how passengers quickly realized something was wrong.
“I looked over at my husband, and he had both of his hands over his ears, you know, kind of leaning forward,” Allen said.
She also noticed a man nearby with a severe nosebleed and several passengers attempting to assist him.
Another passenger, Jaci Purser, recounted her pain during the pressurisation malfunction.
“It felt like somebody was stabbing me in the ear,” she said. Purser reported feeling her ear pop and then start to bleed.
“I grabbed my ear, and I pulled my hand back, and there was blood on it,” she added.
The aircraft began to circle over the Great Salt Lake as the crew attempted to troubleshoot the pressurization issue.
According to passengers, no immediate explanation was given for the flight’s sudden change in course.
“They finally announced that we were going to head back to the airport and still didn’t say why,” Allen said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed it will investigate the incident, which led to the return of the flight to Salt Lake City around 8:30 a.m.
Upon landing, paramedics were on hand to assist the injured. Delta Air Lines reported that 10 passengers were treated or evaluated by medical personnel.
Purser, who was diagnosed with a ruptured eardrum, was advised by paramedics to go to the hospital. The airline arranged for transportation to a medical facility.
Purser later received treatment, including antibiotic drops, steroids, and decongestants.
“It sounds like I’m underwater when I talk,” Purser said. “My hearing is so bad right now.”
Pressurisation Malfunctions Explained
Valerie Walker, a retired Delta Air Lines pilot, explained that pressurisation issues are typically not the result of pilot error.
She noted that such problems are often linked to equipment malfunctions, like a faulty outflow valve that regulates cabin pressure.
Walker shared that during similar events, pilots attempt to resolve the issue mid-flight but prioritize safety.
“If there’s any doubt that it poses a safety problem, then no, we go to the nearest airport where we can get it fixed and land,” she said.
Delta Air Lines confirmed in a statement that its technicians identified and fixed the issue with the aircraft’s pressurization system. The plane was taken out of service on September 15 and returned to operation the following day.
“We sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience on flight 1203 on Sept. 15,” Delta Air Lines said.
“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 at the gate and identified ten individuals as needing evaluation or treatment.
“Delta offered to cover transportation for these customers to medical facilities.
“Delta technicians worked the pressurization issue on the aircraft successfully. It was taken out of service on the morning of Sept. 15 and went back into service on Sept. 16,” the statement ended.
