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Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Panic grips Japan airlines flight after 7km mid-air plunge: ‘Thought I was going to die'
A Japan airlines flight from Shanghai to Tokyo turned into a harrowing experience for 191 people on board after the aircraft made an emergency landing at Kansai Airport on Monday evening. The plane, operated by Spring Airlines Japan under flight number IJ004, diverted to Osaka after a sudden loss of cabin pressure forced the pilots into an emergency landing. What began as a routine evening flight from Pudong to Narita became for some passengers a near death experience. 'I thought I was going to die,' wrote one shaken passenger on social media, describing the dramatic drop in altitude and the moment oxygen masks fell from the ceiling. 'My body is still here, but my soul hasn't caught up. My legs are still shaking. When you face life or death, everything else feels trivial.' According to flight tracking data and witness reports, the Boeing 737-800 plunged more than 10,000 metres (10km) to just 3,000 metres (3km) in about 20 minutes. Although no injuries were reported, passengers recounted moments of chaos, fear, and a chilling silence as the aircraft descended. According to The Standard news agency, a woman named Wang recalled a chilling silence inside the cabin after the oxygen masks dropped. She said she genuinely feared for her life, and seeing flight attendants nearly in tears only deepened the panic. Another passenger told the outlet she had written a goodbye message to her husband as the plane was landing rapidly. Japan's transport ministry confirmed that the flight crew declared an emergency after an alert indicated cabin pressure irregularities which is an issue that while rare can be fatal if left unaddressed. Quick action by the pilots and communication with air traffic controllers helped ensure the aircraft landed safely at 8:50 pm local time. Yet for those onboard, the nightmare didn't end with touchdown. Passengers were kept inside the aircraft for over an hour, reportedly without clear communication. Amid growing complaints, Spring airlines Japan agreed to offer 15,000 yen in compensation to each passenger but only after individuals filed claims themselves. The incident again throws a spotlight on the Boeing 737-800, a model involved in numerous aviation disasters, including the 2022 crash of China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735 and the Jeju air tragedy in South Korea that killed 179 in 2024. While Monday's emergency ended without casualties, it has stirred unease among travelers already wary of the aircraft's history. For now, questions linger—about airline communication, aircraft maintenance, and passenger treatment—but for many who lived through the terrifying plunge, gratitude trumps outrage. 'We're alive. That's all that matters…But I'll never forget the feeling of that fall. It changes you,' one of the passengers said. Spring Airlines' Chinese parent company was quick to distance itself, noting the incident involved Spring Airlines Japan, a joint venture with JAL. Japan Airlines, which took over majority control of the budget carrier in 2021, has not publicly commented beyond confirming the safe landing.
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Oxygen masks deploy as Japan Airlines flight plunges 26,000ft before emergency landing
A Boeing 737 plane flying from Shanghai to Tokyo made an emergency landing in Osaka after a sudden pressurisation failure forced it to drop nearly 26,000ft in 10 minutes on Monday. Flight JL8696/IJ004 – operated under a codeshare deal between Japan Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Spring Airlines Japan – departed from the Shanghai Pudong airport in China for the Tokyo Narita airport in Japan but made an emergency landing at the Kansai airport in Osaka at around 8.50pm local time. According to Japan's transport ministry, the aircraft's alarm system detected an abnormality in the mechanism responsible for maintaining cabin pressure. Suspecting cabin depressurisation, the pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and diverted the Boeing 737-800 plane to Kansai, Kyodo News reported. 'On June 30, Flight JL8696 experienced a malfunction with the cabin pressurisation system, accompanied by an alert indicating an abnormal cabin altitude pressure level,' Japan Airlines said in a statement shared with The Independent. 'In accordance with emergency procedures, the flight descended to a safe altitude. It is important to clarify that rapid decompression did not occur. However, due to the potential for a decrease in cabin pressure, oxygen masks were deployed as a precautionary measure. The descent was conducted in accordance with standard safety protocols to ensure passenger and crew safety.' The exact cause of the incident was under investigation. There were 191 passengers and crew on board the aircraft. The plane reportedly rapidly descended from about 36,000 feet to just below 10,500 feet in under 10 minutes. 'As of now, there have been no reports of injuries or health concerns among passengers or crew,' the airline said in its statement. The airline has reportedly offered them compensation. The airline confirmed that flight JL8696/IJ004 is operated under a lease agreement with Spring Japan. While Japan Airlines is the transport operator, Spring Japan supplies the aircraft and the crew. News reports said panic spread among passengers as oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling, with many fearing the plane might crash due to the sudden change in cabin pressure. One passenger, identified only as Wang by Hong Kong's The Standard, said that her composure broke the moment she saw flight attendants on the verge of tears. She recalled the cabin falling into an 'eerie silence' as oxygen masks dropped down from the panels above. Japan Airlines said the Civil Aviation Bureau reviewed the incident and 'did not classify it as a 'serious' incident'. The plane was, however, grounded after it landed. 'We are fully cooperating with the Transport Safety Board and conducting an internal investigation to determine the root cause of the system malfunction,' the airline said. 'We are actively cooperating with authorities and will implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.' The incident again raised concerns about the safety of Boeing 737 aircraft, a model involved in multiple serious accidents over the years. Since 2000, various versions of the 737 jetliner have been linked to at least a dozen fatal crashes worldwide, including the China Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735 disaster in 2022 and the Jeju Air crash in South Korea last year.
New York Post
3 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Terrified plane passengers write notes to loved ones as Boeing plummets 25,000 feet in minutes
A Boeing passenger plane plummeted more than 25,000 feet in just 10 minutes — leaving some of the nearly 200 onboard unconscious, and others sending heart-wrenching goodbyes to their loved ones. The Spring Airlines Japan flight from Shanghai to Tokyo on Monday night was cruising at 36,000 feet with 191 passengers and crew when it suddenly dropped to just under 10,500 feet, according to officials, blaming an unspecified mechanical issue. Terrifying footage shows panicked passengers clutching their oxygen masks — as some even lost consciousness. Advertisement 3 Terrified passengers recalled writing notes to loved ones as their plane plummeted 25,000 feet in minutes. Viral Press 'I heard a muffled boom and the oxygen mask fell off in a few seconds. The stewardess cried and shouted to put on the oxygen mask, saying the plane had a malfunction,' one passenger said. 'Suddenly, all the oxygen masks popped open while I was sleeping,' a second said. Advertisement Another passenger recalled being on 'the verge of tears' as they wrote their will and the details of their life insurance and bank card PINs, thinking they were facing certain death. 3 Oxygen masks dropped as cabin crew made emergency announcements. Viral Press An alert indicating an abnormality in cabin pressure was triggered amid the ascent, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said. The flight, which had taken off from Shanghai Pudong Airport on Monday, was forced to make an emergency landing at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. Advertisement 3 The Boeing 737 Spring Airlines Japan flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Osaka. Markus Mainka – No injuries were reported when the aircraft landed in the southern Japanese city at around 8:50 p.m. local time, just under two hours after the oxygen masks were deployed. Those on board were offered the equivalent of $104 in transportation compensation and given one night of free accommodation. Advertisement An investigation has been launched to determine the cause. Japan Airlines and Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. With Post wires.
Metro
3 days ago
- General
- Metro
Japan Airlines Boeing 737 flight plummets 26,000 ft before emergency landing
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Passengers were left terrified when their Japan Airlines flight suddenly started 'plummeting violently' before making an emergency landing. Flight JL8696/IJ004, operated under a codeshare deal with budget carrier Spring Airlines Japan, dropped 26,000ft in 10 minutes on Monday evening. The aircraft, due to fly 191 passengers and crew from Shanghai to Tokyo, was diverted to Osaka shortly before 9pm local time. Video clips posted to social media by shellshocked travellers once they landed show oxygen masks dropping during the panic-filled descent. One wrote: 'My body is still here, but my soul hasn't caught up. My legs are still shaking. When you face life or death, everything else feels trivial.' Another commented: 'The plane started plummeting violently at around 7pm and dropped to 3,000 metres in just 20 minutes.' Japan's transport ministry said the aircraft's alarm system detected an abnormality in the mechanism responsible for maintaining cabin pressure, the Independent reports. In a statement provided to the outlet, Japan Airlines said: 'On June 30, Flight JL8696 experienced a malfunction with the cabin pressurisation system, accompanied by an alert indicating an abnormal cabin altitude pressure level. More Trending 'In accordance with emergency procedures, the flight descended to a safe altitude. It is important to clarify that rapid decompression did not occur. However, due to the potential for a decrease in cabin pressure, oxygen masks were deployed as a precautionary measure. 'The descent was conducted in accordance with standard safety protocols to ensure passenger and crew safety.' The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation. None of the passengers or crew were hurt. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Inside Japan's secret death chambers where the very worst criminals are executed MORE: Will a 'mega-quake' strike next week after a Japanese manga predicts 'great disaster'? MORE: 'Twitter killer' who raped and dismembered eight suicidal women is executed
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Japan Airlines flight makes violent plunge before emergency landing
A Boeing 737 plane flying from Shanghai to Tokyo made an emergency landing in Osaka after a sudden pressurisation failure forced it to drop nearly 26,000ft in 10 minutes on Monday. Flight JL8696/IJ004 – operated under a codeshare deal between Japan Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Spring Airlines Japan – departed from the Shanghai Pudong airport in China for the Tokyo Narita airport in Japan but made an emergency landing at the Kansai airport in Osaka at around 8.50pm local time. According to Japan's transport ministry, the aircraft's alarm system detected an abnormality in the mechanism responsible for maintaining cabin pressure. Suspecting cabin depressurisation, the pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and diverted the Boeing 737-800 plane to Kansai, Kyodo News reported. 'On June 30, Flight JL8696 experienced a malfunction with the cabin pressurisation system, accompanied by an alert indicating an abnormal cabin altitude pressure level,' Japan Airlines said in a statement shared with The Independent. 'In accordance with emergency procedures, the flight descended to a safe altitude. It is important to clarify that rapid decompression did not occur. However, due to the potential for a decrease in cabin pressure, oxygen masks were deployed as a precautionary measure. The descent was conducted in accordance with standard safety protocols to ensure passenger and crew safety.' The exact cause of the incident was under investigation. There were 191 passengers and crew on board the aircraft. The plane reportedly rapidly descended from about 36,000 feet to just below 10,500 feet in under 10 minutes. 'As of now, there have been no reports of injuries or health concerns among passengers or crew,' the airline said in its statement. The airline has reportedly offered them compensation. The airline confirmed that flight JL8696/IJ004 is operated under a lease agreement with Spring Japan. While Japan Airlines is the transport operator, Spring Japan supplies the aircraft and the crew. News reports said panic spread among passengers as oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling, with many fearing the plane might crash due to the sudden change in cabin pressure. One passenger, identified only as Wang by Hong Kong's The Standard, said that her composure broke the moment she saw flight attendants on the verge of tears. She recalled the cabin falling into an 'eerie silence' as oxygen masks dropped down from the panels above. Japan Airlines said the Civil Aviation Bureau reviewed the incident and 'did not classify it as a 'serious' incident'. The plane was, however, grounded after it landed. 'We are fully cooperating with the Transport Safety Board and conducting an internal investigation to determine the root cause of the system malfunction,' the airline said. 'We are actively cooperating with authorities and will implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.' The incident again raised concerns about the safety of Boeing 737 aircraft, a model involved in multiple serious accidents over the years. Since 2000, various versions of the 737 jetliner have been linked to at least a dozen fatal crashes worldwide, including the China Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735 disaster in 2022 and the Jeju Air crash in South Korea last year.
