An American Airlines flight bound for Miami was forced to make an emergency landing in São Paulo on Saturday, 24 November 2024. The diversion was made after the flight encountered severe turbulence enroute. The incident left one passenger with a broken leg and several others with minor injuries.
Flight AA930, a Boeing 777-200, was outbound from São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) enroute for Miami.
The aircraft was in cruising flight at FL370 (37,000 feet) when it encountered a region of severe turbulence. The sudden encounter resulted in injuries to a number of passengers and crew members. The ‘Fasten Seatbelts’ signs were on when the encounter occurred.
The flight crew made the decision to return to Sao Paulo International Airport as a precautionary measure. The aircraft was able to land without further incident at the origin airport, approximately 4.5 hours after its initial departure.
Following the flight’s return, medical personnel referred one passenger to the hospital with a fractured leg. The airline confirmed the incident in a statement, expressing concern for the injured passengers and crew. American Airlines said it was working to assist those affected and to investigate the cause of the severe turbulence.
Flight data shows that flight AA930 had made an on-time departure out of São Paulo at 2247 local time on 23 November. The operating crew had set course normally, climbing to FL370 for the northerly route to Florida. The operating crew initiated the return when the aircraft was on track approximately 700 nm to the north of São Paulo.
The aircraft conducting the AA930 service to Miami International Airport (MIA) was a Boeing 777-200, registered N753AN.This is a 23.6 year old wide body aircraft belonging to the carrier American Airlines. It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in May 2001.
