Delta flight dives 27,000 feet mid-flight after pressurization issue

A Delta flight was diverted after a pressurization issue, according to reports.

On Sunday, Sept. 6, Delta Flight DL2311 departed Los Angeles International Airport and was en route to Salt Lake City International Airport when it was diverted to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, People, Fox News and other outlets reported.

In about 10 minutes, the plane, a Boeing 737-900, dropped about 27,000 feet, according to People. It was traveling at around 36,200 feet and over 1 hour and 22 minutes into the flight when the pilot dived to 9,000 feet.

Pilots will lower a plane's altitude because of a pressurization issue to prevent life-threatening conditions, like hypoxia, which occurs when the body doesn't receive enough oxygen, per the FAA.

"Delta 2311 currently rapid descent. We’d like to get down to 9,000 and we’re direct Las Vegas,” the pilot could be heard saying on air traffic control radio, according to Fox 17 Nashville.

“As safety comes before everything else at Delta, the flight crew of Delta flight 2311 followed their training and procedures to safely bring the aircraft to optimal altitude when an unexpected pressurization issue occurred," a Delta spokesperson said in a statement given to Fox and…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/travel/