Multiple Injured as In-Flight Disturbance Strikes Delta Plane Landing at Sydney, Australia

Multiple passengers and crew sustained injuries when a Delta Airlines jet traveling from Los Angeles to Sydney was hit by rough air Friday morning.

The flight, numbered 41 "went through a short bout of rough air" as it touched down at Sydney Airport, a representative for the carrier stated. A number of the onboard staff required medical attention.

The New South Wales Ambulance Service reported they treated five patients, and took three of them to hospital with minor injuries that included spinal discomfort and headaches. Those affected ranged from their thirties and seventies.

It is the newest example of commercial jets experiencing atmospheric disturbance, with researchers indicating that global warming is a significant contributor.

The aircraft was carrying nearly 250 travelers and fifteen staff members on the wide-body jet, the representative said, stating that the plane arrived "safely" at the airport at shortly before 7 a.m. on Friday.

Paramedics indicated they were alerted just only 180 seconds before the plane touched down, and ambulances were waiting on the tarmac.

The reasons turbulence is getting increasingly prevalent - and more severe.

Last year, 25 people sustained injuries when a separate Delta aircraft, on a route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, Netherlands, experienced "significant" rough air just a couple of hours into the lengthy trip, and had to make an emergency landing.

Recently, those on board on a Singapore Airlines jet endured a terrifying five seconds period of extreme instability. One passenger passed away and numerous people sustained injuries, as unbelted passengers were thrown from their seats and fell back down.

In-flight turbulence is a common occurrence during flights, and while instances of significant turbulence appear to be increasing, they are still very rare.

Estimates show that there are approximately 5,000 incidents of significant in-flight disturbance every year, out of a total of in excess of 35 million flights that are conducted worldwide.

Severe turbulence is defined as when the up and down movements of a jet passing through disturbed air exert in excess of 1.5g-force on your body - a strong enough force to lift you out of your seat if you were not fastened by a restraint.

As global warming shifts atmospheric conditions, experts warn that flying could become less smooth: warming trends and shifting wind patterns in the higher altitudes are expected to boost the occurrence and strength of dangerous in-flight bumps.