A pressurisation system malfunction prompted a Korean Air flight to perform an emergency U-turn and landing after it had dropped over 25,000 feet, as per multiple media reports. As a result, oxygen masks were deployed inside the aircraft cabin due to multiple passengers experiencing hyperventilation, earache and nosebleeding.
Upon landing in Taiwan’s Taichung, 17 people were evaluated at medical facilities and were later discharged without severe injuries.
As per the Independent, on June 22, 2024 at around 16:45 local time, flight KE189 took off from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) and travelled to Taichung International Airport (RMQ) in Taiwan. But 50 minutes into the flight, the Boeing 737 Max 8 began to drop rapidly, and in approximately 15 minutes, it dropped about 26,900 feet.
According to FL360aero, while the aircraft was flying over Jeju Island, the message “pressure system (pressure control function of the aircraft) abnormality” flashed.
Children on the flight were crying when oxygen masks were deployed during the flight’s plunge, said a passenger to The Taipei Times. Another passenger said she felt something was amiss as the aircraft seemed to be hovering in the air and the flight attendants remained in their seats.
Airline’s apology!
People affected by this incident received an apology from Korean Air. The airline further stated, “We are fully cooperating with all relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. We have given the impacted travellers complete support, which includes lodging, food, and travel plans.
According to a representative for Korean Air, the airline is looking into the pressurisation system malfunction in detail and plans to fix any maintenance problems before bringing the aircraft back into operation.