Panic ensued on a flight bound for Tokyo after it dramatically descended 26,000 feet in just minutes.
Oxygen masks were deployed and some passengers said they feared for their lives.
The Japan Airlines-Spring Japan codeshare flight was bound for Tokyo Narita from Shanghai.
It was carrying 191 passengers and crew
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said it rapidly dropped altitude from about 36,000 feet to just under 10,000 feet within minutes.
An alert was sounded, indicating a pressurisation system malfunction.
“Flight JL8696 experienced a malfunction with the cabin pressurisation system, accompanied by an alert indicating an abnormal cabin altitude pressure level,” Japan Airlines confirmed in a statement.
“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.”
The pilots declared an emergency and the plane was diverted to Kansai International Airport in Osaka.
It landed safely with no injuries reported.
The incident is under investigation.
“We are fully cooperating with the Transport Safety Board and conducting an internal investigation to determine the root cause of the system malfunction,” JAL said.
