Expert explains why Virgin Australia plane from Sydney-Brisbane plunged with no explanation from crew to passengers
An experienced pilot has now weighed in to explain why.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Panic in the air.
Virgin flight VA993 was flying from Sydney to Brisbane on Wednesday night when the plane suddenly dropped from 37,000 feet to 8775 feet about 9.10pm.
In the space of five minutes, the aircraft plunged about 30,000 feet — roughly the height of Mount Everest — as oxygen masks deployed from the ceiling.
The flight eventually landed safely, but passengers were not briefed by the crew before then.
Virgin Australia confirmed the flight lost cabin pressure in the air.
'We can confirm that VA933 Sydney to Brisbane arrived safely at Brisbane Airport after experiencing a depressurisation event on Wednesday, 13 August,' a spokesperson said in a statement.
'The flight crew took the appropriate steps, following standard operating procedures, to descend to a lower altitude. As part of that process, a PAN call was transmitted to Air Traffic Control.'
Former Qantas pilot David Oliver described such depressurisation events as rare.
'It's not common at all. It's not unheard of, but it's not common,' Oliver told Sunrise.
He added that the pilots followed the correct procedures to descend the aircraft as quickly as possible.
Oliver explained that when a plane is cruising at 35,000 feet, the cabin is normally pressurised to feel like 6000 feet.
But if the cabin suddenly loses pressure, the air thins rapidly, making it feel much higher.
Once the cabin altitude rises above 14,000 feet, oxygen masks automatically deploy.
'It's important for the aircraft to descend because there's only a fixed amount of oxygen that's available through those masks,' Oliver said.
'So I have to get the aircraft down to an altitude where people can breathe normally without the assistance of the oxygen masks.'
Under such circumstances, pilots are under a high workload, managing the emergency descent and other tasks on the flight deck, which Oliver said explains why the crew didn't have time to make a public address announcement.
No passengers or crew were injured, and the aircraft is currently under review by engineers.
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7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Expert explains why Virgin Australia plane from Sydney-Brisbane plunged with no explanation from crew to passengers
Passengers have been left in shock as a plane plunged 30,000 feet mid-air, with no crew explanation before landing. An experienced pilot has now weighed in to explain why. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Panic in the air. Virgin flight VA993 was flying from Sydney to Brisbane on Wednesday night when the plane suddenly dropped from 37,000 feet to 8775 feet about 9.10pm. In the space of five minutes, the aircraft plunged about 30,000 feet — roughly the height of Mount Everest — as oxygen masks deployed from the ceiling. The flight eventually landed safely, but passengers were not briefed by the crew before then. Virgin Australia confirmed the flight lost cabin pressure in the air. 'We can confirm that VA933 Sydney to Brisbane arrived safely at Brisbane Airport after experiencing a depressurisation event on Wednesday, 13 August,' a spokesperson said in a statement. 'The flight crew took the appropriate steps, following standard operating procedures, to descend to a lower altitude. As part of that process, a PAN call was transmitted to Air Traffic Control.' Former Qantas pilot David Oliver described such depressurisation events as rare. 'It's not common at all. It's not unheard of, but it's not common,' Oliver told Sunrise. He added that the pilots followed the correct procedures to descend the aircraft as quickly as possible. Oliver explained that when a plane is cruising at 35,000 feet, the cabin is normally pressurised to feel like 6000 feet. But if the cabin suddenly loses pressure, the air thins rapidly, making it feel much higher. Once the cabin altitude rises above 14,000 feet, oxygen masks automatically deploy. 'It's important for the aircraft to descend because there's only a fixed amount of oxygen that's available through those masks,' Oliver said. 'So I have to get the aircraft down to an altitude where people can breathe normally without the assistance of the oxygen masks.' Under such circumstances, pilots are under a high workload, managing the emergency descent and other tasks on the flight deck, which Oliver said explains why the crew didn't have time to make a public address announcement. No passengers or crew were injured, and the aircraft is currently under review by engineers.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Passengers panic after plane's sudden drop
Passengers on board a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Brisbane were terrified after a loss of cabin pressure soon after takeoff, with the aeroplane dropping from 37,000 feet to under 10,000 feet. People were flying on the VA993 from Sydney to Brisbane shortly after 8.30pm Wednesday when the plane lost cabin pressure soon after takeoff. Frightening moment Virgin Australia flight makes 'sudden descent' 10 News Credit: Supplied However, about 40 minutes later, the plane dropped suddenly with oxygen masks quickly deployed. Data from FlightRadar showed the plane reached a peak of 37,000 feet about 9pm before making a dramatic drop to 8775 feet. The flight remained at this altitude for the remainder of the journey to Brisbane before making a safe landing. The plane made a sudden drop shortly after 9pm Wednesday. Flightradar24 Credit: Supplied Footage obtained by 10News showed the oxygen masks hanging from the overhead compartments, with flight attendants working to keep people calm. One person on board said the plane made a 'sudden descent', with flight attendants working to keep passengers calm as they feared the worst. Passengers en route to Brisbane from Sydney were shaken after their Virgin Australia flight dropped in cabin pressure, with the plane dropping from 37,000 feet to 10,000. Passengers could be heard applauding the flight attendants as the flight eventually returned to normal. Speaking to Channel 10, a passenger, Haley, recalled sending a message to her husband saying the 'planes dropping'. 'Emergency landing – love you,' she wrote. Oxygen masks were deployed to passengers. 10 News Credit: Supplied A Virgin Australia spokesman confirmed the flight arrived safely in Brisbane – albeit 10 minutes behind schedule – following the 'depressurisation event'. 'The flight crew took the appropriate steps, following standard operating procedures, to descend to a lower altitude,' they told NewsWire. 'As part of that process, a PAN call was transmitted to Air Traffic Control.' PAN calls are internationally recognised calls for urgency, signalling the vessel requires help for an urgent situation. It is different to a Mayday call, which is only reserved for life-threatening emergencies. Flight attendant were applauded for their efforts. 10 News Credit: Supplied The spokesman told NewsWire no passengers or crew members were injured during the incident, and all had been approached by its guest relations team for counselling services. 'Safety remains Virgin Australia's number one priority, and we are reviewing the situation in line with our safety standards,' they said. The aircraft will also be investigated by engineers, the spokesman said.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Frightening moment Virgin Australia flight makes ‘sudden descent'
Passengers on board a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Brisbane were terrified after a loss of cabin pressure soon after takeoff, with the aeroplane dropping from 37,000 feet to under 10,000 feet. People were flying on the VA993 from Sydney to Brisbane shortly after 8.30pm Wednesday when the plane lost cabin pressure soon after takeoff. However, about 40 minutes later, the plane dropped suddenly with oxygen masks quickly deployed. Data from FlightRadar showed the plane reached a peak of 37,000 feet about 9pm before making a dramatic drop to 8775 feet. The flight remained at this altitude for the remainder of the journey to Brisbane before making a safe landing. Footage obtained by 10News showed the oxygen masks hanging from the overhead compartments, with flight attendants working to keep people calm. One person on board said the plane made a 'sudden descent', with flight attendants working to keep passengers calm as they feared the worst. Passengers could be heard applauding the flight attendants as the flight eventually returned to normal. Speaking to Channel 10, a passenger, Haley, recalled sending a message to her husband saying the 'planes dropping'. 'Emergency landing – love you,' she wrote. A Virgin Australia spokesman confirmed the flight arrived safely in Brisbane – albeit 10 minutes behind schedule – following the 'depressurisation event'. 'The flight crew took the appropriate steps, following standard operating procedures, to descend to a lower altitude,' they told NewsWire. 'As part of that process, a PAN call was transmitted to Air Traffic Control.' PAN calls are internationally recognised calls for urgency, signalling the vessel requires help for an urgent situation. It is different to a Mayday call, which is only reserved for life-threatening emergencies. The spokesman told NewsWire no passengers or crew members were injured during the incident, and all had been approached by its guest relations team for counselling services. 'Safety remains Virgin Australia's number one priority, and we are reviewing the situation in line with our safety standards,' they said. The aircraft will also be investigated by engineers, the spokesman said.
