Passengers aboard a Jet Airways flight to from Mumbai to Jaupur were left bleeding from their eyes and noses after cockpit crew forgot to turn on the cabin pressure system.
Frightening footage shows people travelling on the Boeing 737 aircraft wearing oxygen masks. Over thirty passengers are thought to have suffered bleeding from ears and noses, while others reported getting migraines.
As a result of the mistake, the Boeing 737 was forced to return to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport shortly after it took off. The incident occured on the morning of Thursday, September 20.
According to the Indian airline, Flight 9W 697 was able to land safely at approximately 6.15 am, with passengers escorted to the terminal.
Once the plane landed, Jet Airways reportedly arranged for alternative flights for passengers left stranded while first aid was given to those in need of treatment. It has been reported some people have been left hospitalised following the incident.
According to the Hindustan Times, 39-year-old passenger Prashant Sharma has spoken of the panic on the plane, which began around five to ten minutes into the journey:
I was sitting on an aisle seat when suddenly air pressure in the cabin dropped and oxygen masks came down.
I saw a passenger sitting next to me bleeding from nose. Several others complained of extreme pain in their ears.
Another passenger said:
Oxygen masks came out but no one gave us warning or instructions. They announced after 15 minutes that we’re landing but didn’t even tell where. It was very scary.
Some passengers shared images of the scene through social media, detailing their shocking experience.
One furious passenger tweeted:
The plane had to make an emergency landing. The cabin crew was unprofessional while ground staff were inept. No reps or guides.
An angered parent tweeted:
Due to negligence of cabin crew of #jetairways. my 4 year son suffered bleeding from nose.
Another passenger commented:
‘Stupidity of highest level. When you HV one job to do at best @jetairways ? Passengers bleed profusely from nose, ear as #JetAirways crew forgot to put on air pressure switch which maintains the cabin pressure. Passengers hospitalised’.
Jet Airways has since made the following official statement:
The B737 aircraft, with 166 guests and 5 crew landed normally in Mumbai. All guests were deplaned safely and taken to the terminal. First aid was administered to few guests who complained of ear pain, bleeding nose etc.
The flight’s cockpit crew has been taken off scheduled duties pending investigation. The airline is making alternative flight arrangements for guests on this flight.
Jet Airways regrets the inconvenience caused to its guests.
Jet Airways is reportedly now cooperating fully with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with cabin crew members being taken off duty while the investigation is underway.
Planes travel at an high altitude where both the air pressure and oxygen supply is much lower than we are used to. Low pressure air is thin and dry, which can result in bleeding from the nose.
Airplane crew members therefore must simulate a lower altitude using an air pressure system.
When a plane soars to a high altitude, the cabin is pressurised, and is gradually de-pressurized during the descent process.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.