Passengers panic after plane's sudden drop
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.
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