Malta Air Boeing 737 Diverts to Toulouse After Turbulence Injures 4

Malta Air Boeing 737 Diverts to Toulouse After Turbulence Injures 4

March 29, 2026 — Four passengers were injured when severe turbulence struck a Malta Air-operated Ryanair flight over Spain, forcing an emergency diversion to Toulouse on Sunday.

Flight FR4017, a Boeing 737-8AS registered 9H-QEP, was en route from Porto (OPO) to Milan Malpensa (MXP) when it encountered the turbulence near Tarbes after passing over the Pyrenees Mountains.

According to the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), the aircraft was cruising through the Madrid Flight Information Region between the GOSVI and TOPTU waypoints when luggage fell from overhead bins during the severe turbulence, injuring four passengers. The flight crew declared an emergency with squawk code 7700 and diverted to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (LFBO).

The aircraft landed safely on runway 32 with only minor damage to cabin fixtures reported. Emergency personnel treated the injured passengers upon arrival. No fatalities occurred and no crew injuries were reported.

The incident is classified by ICAO standards as a Turbulence Encounter (TURB).

Incident Details

• Operator: Malta Air (operating for Ryanair)
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-8AS (WL)
• Registration: 9H-QEP
• Flight Number: FR4017
• Route: Porto (OPO) to Milan Malpensa (MXP)
• Diversion Airport: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (LFBO)
• Event Classification: Turbulence Encounter (TURB)
• Injuries: 4 passengers
• Damage: Minor to cabin fixtures

Source: Aviation Safety Network Record 568590