Delta 767 slammed with hail and turbulence

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July 25, 2023

A Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300 (registration N189DN) performing flight DL-185 from Milan Malpensa (Italy) to New York JFK,NY (USA), was climbing out of Malpensa when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence and hail prompting the crew to declare an emergency. According to Aviation Herald the crew reported severe turbulence, hail and a cracked windshield. The crew stopped the climb at 23,000 feet and diverted to Rome Fiumicino (Italy) where the aircraft landed safely about 65 minutes after departure.

There were no injuries to passengers or crew but the aircraft sustained substantial damage including punctures of the right hand wing, punctures of both engine spinners, damage to both engines’ fan blades, punctured radome, and dents along the leading edges of the wings.

Delta didn’t say how many passengers and crew were aboard the flight, nor whether they were booked on another flight Monday or would have to spend the night in Rome

Milan like many parts of Italy has in recent days been pummeled by severe weather including storms with hail the size of tennis balls.