A Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900, operating a flight from Salt Lake City, UT to Portland, OR was forced to make a return after the aircraft suffered a pressurization failure on 15 September.
Delta flight DL1203 had conducted a departure from RWY16R Salt Lake City and was establishing on course for Portland when the serious incident occurred.
Delta DL1203 Salt Lake City-Portland
Flight crew terminated the climb as the flight approached 10,000 feet, when they received a cabin pressure warning. The flight then initiated a direct return to Salt Lake City, where it landed just under 20 minutes after its initial departure.
Passenger Injuries
Several passengers sustained injuries as a result of the cabin depressurization.
According to the online source Aviation Herald, one passenger reported that their ears were popping more than usual during the takeoff. They reported that the flight conducted a rapid level off procedure. The passenger went on to describe the subsequent landing as hard with heavy braking.
The aircraft was met at the gate by paramedics, who treated several people onboard the aircraft for ear pain.
The passenger reported several passengers being referred to hospital. Another passenger reported that their colleague was bleeding from the ears, reportedly due to a ruptured eardrum.
According to Delta Air Lines, flight crew were unable to pressurize the cabin, and passenger oxygen masks did not deploy during the event.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft conducting the DL1203 service to Portland was a Boeing 737-900, registered N916DU. This is a 5.7 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Delta Air Lines. It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in January 2019.
A replacement aircraft was mustered by the airline to complete the scheduled service to Portland.
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