Boeing Passenger Jet Drops 25,000 Feet Mid-Flight, Causing Panic and Unconscious Passengers

Video footage of passengers inside the plane

A Spring Airlines Japan flight traveling from Shanghai to Tokyo experienced a terrifying emergency Monday night after the aircraft abruptly dropped more than 25,000 feet in just 10 minutes, triggering panic, oxygen mask deployment, and leaving some passengers temporarily unconscious.

The Boeing passenger plane, carrying 191 passengers and crew, was cruising at 36,000 feet when a sudden mechanical issue caused it to descend rapidly to just under 10,500 feet. The midair emergency unfolded as the flight approached Japanese airspace, prompting alarm both in the cabin and among aviation authorities.

The Boeing 737 Spring Airlines Japan flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Osaka

Terrified passengers described chaos onboard. "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 recounted. Others recalled waking to find the masks deployed and being overwhelmed with fear.

"Suddenly, all the oxygen masks popped open while I was sleeping,” said another traveler. “I was on the verge of tears, writing out my will and sending my life insurance and bank card PINs to my family. I thought I wasn’t going to survive.”

Oxygen masks dropped as cabin crew made emergency announcements

Footage from inside the aircraft captured passengers clutching their oxygen masks, with some reportedly losing consciousness as cabin pressure dropped sharply. According to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, an abnormal cabin pressure alert was triggered during the aircraft’s ascent.

The flight, which had departed from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, was forced to make an emergency landing at Kansai International Airport in Osaka at approximately 8:50 p.m. local time. Despite the harrowing drop, no injuries were reported.

Terrified passengers recalled writing notes to loved ones as their plane plummeted 25,000 feet in minutes

Spring Airlines Japan provided passengers with the equivalent of $104 in transportation compensation and arranged overnight accommodations. Authorities in Japan have launched a full investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure and rapid descent.