50 minutes into its journey, the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft began to descend rapidly and dropped to about 26,900 feet in about 15 minutes.
A Korean Air plane had to make a U-turn and emergency landing after falling more than 25,000 feet due to a malfunction in the plane’s pressurization system. According to the Independent, flight KE189 took off from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) at around 16:45 local time on June 22, 2024, and headed for Taiwan’s Taichung International Airport (RMQ).
However, 50 minutes into its journey, the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft began to descend rapidly and dropped to about 26,900 feet in about 15 minutes. According to FL360aero, while the plane was flying over Jeju Island, a message was displayed that said “the pressure system (aircraft’s pressure control function) is abnormal.”
As a result, several passengers experienced hyperventilation and ear pain, which forced oxygen masks to be removed inside the plane’s cabin. One passenger told the Taipei Times that children on board the plane were crying when oxygen masks were removed during the plane’s descent.
Another passenger said she felt something was wrong as the plane was floating in the air and flight attendants were seated in their seats.
Upon landing in Taichung, Taiwan, 17 people were evaluated at medical facilities and later discharged without any serious injuries.
Korean Air apologized to “all those affected by the incident” and said, “We are fully cooperating with all relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. We have provided comprehensive assistance to affected passengers, including accommodation, meals and transportation arrangements.”
The flight resumed on a different plane on the morning of June 23, about 19 hours after the initial departure schedule. Passengers who arrived at Taichung International Airport said they were scared and would not fly for some time, the Taipei Times reported.
A Korean Air spokesperson said the airline is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the pressurisation system malfunction, and intends to fix any maintenance issues before returning the plane to service.
Boeing, the airliner that suffered a mid-air malfunction, is under tremendous pressure after a series of accidents involving its planes.
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