Latest news with #HelenaBilkova
New York Post
4 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Virgin Australia flight's ‘sudden descent' caught on video
Passengers on board a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Brisbane were terrified after a loss of cabin pressure soon after takeoff, with the airplane dropping from 37,000 feet to under 10,000 feet. People were flying on the VA993 from Sydney to Brisbane shortly after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when the plane lost cabin pressure soon after takeoff. Advertisement However, about 40 minutes later, the plane dropped suddenly with oxygen masks quickly deployed. 4 A Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Brisbane experienced a loss in cabin pressure after takeoff, dropping from 37,000 feet to under 10,000 feet. Helena Bilkova – Data from FlightRadar showed the plane reached a peak of 37,000 feet about 9 p.m. 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. Advertisement Footage obtained by 10News showed the oxygen masks hanging from the overhead compartments, with flight attendants working to keep people calm. 4 Footage obtained by 10News showed the oxygen masks dropping down, with flight attendants trying to keep everyone calm. news10 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. Advertisement Speaking to Channel 10, a passenger, Haley, recalled sending a message to her husband saying the 'planes dropping'. 4 Passengers could be heard applauding the flight attendants as the flight eventually returned to normal. news10 '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'. Advertisement 'The flight crew took the appropriate steps, following standard operating procedures, to descend to a lower altitude,' they told NewsWire. 4 'The flight crew took the appropriate steps, following standard operating procedures, to descend to a lower altitude,' a Virgin Australia spokesman told NewsWire. news10 '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.
New York Post
23-07-2025
- General
- New York Post
Fire breaks out mid-air and fills cabin with smoke on Virgin Australia flight
This is the horrifying moment a fire erupted mid-air on a Virgin Australia flight bound for Tasmania. Flight VA158, which departed from Sydney on Monday morning, had begun its descent into Hobart just after 9am when smoke began filling the cabin of the Boeing 737-8FE. Advertisement According to witnesses on board, the crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery engulfed in flames. Footage of the incident shows passengers scrambling to the back of the plane as a distressed flight attendant yells: 'All the way down to the back guys, keep moving, quicker.' 3 The crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery engulfed in flames. Pulse Tasmania Another clip shows passengers passing bottles of water to a crew member as they attempt to contain the blaze. Advertisement Witnesses reveal that cabin crew were eventually able to extinguish the fire successfully with water bottles after initial attempts with on-board fire extinguishes were unsuccessful. According to Pulse Tasmania, passengers described a moment of panic and were told not to film the incident by staff. Once the flight had safely landed in Hobart, Airservices Australia firefighters boarded the plane and removed the bag containing the battery. Advertisement Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker told Pulse that one person had received medical attention by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. 3 Witnesses reveal that cabin crew were eventually able to extinguish the fire successfully. Helena Bilkova – 'The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,' he said. In a statement to Virgin ensured flight and cabin crew were checked over by paramedics as a precaution and subsequently cleared. Advertisement 'VA1528 from Sydney to Hobart landed safely at Hobart Airport yesterday (Monday) following a fire in an overhead locker during descent. 'The fire was extinguished by Virgin Australia cabin crew prior to landing. Airservices Australia firefighters attended the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker. All guests disembarked the aircraft, as per standard operating procedures. 3 Passengers were passing bottles of water to a crew member to try and extinguish the flames. Pulse Tasmania 'Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,' they said. A replacement aircraft was sourced for the return flight for Sydney and Virgin's guest contact center is in the process of checking in with guests seated in the surrounding rows. The incident comes after a passenger plane in South Korea caught fire earlier this year, leaving three people with minor injuries. Local authorities believe a portable power bank likely caused the fire that destroyed the plane.
