13 passengers were taken to a hospital after a Korean Air flight dropped 26,900 feet mid-flight due to a fault in the aircraft’s pressurization sys tem.

Flight KE189 departed Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) on June 22, 2024 at about 16:45 local time, headed for Taichung International Airport (RMQ) in Taiwan.

50 minutes into the flight, the B737 MAX experienced a sudden uncontrolled decompression. According to FL360aero, the message “pressure s ystem (pressure control function of the aircraft) abnormality” was displayed while the aircraft was flying over Jeju Island.

According to data from flight tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft fell about 26,900 feet in around 15 minutes. The aircraft, carrying 125 passengers, was able to return to ICN Airport at approximately 19:40 local time. 

One of the passengers onboard the flight was able to capture footage inside the cabin, showing that the oxygen masks had all dropped from overhead.

The passenger said that she thought it would be her “last day on earth”.

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation said 15 passengers reported that they had suffered from hyperventilation or pain in their eardrums, while 13 were hospitalized after landing.

The flight was rescheduled for the following day, June 23, 2024.

A spokesperson for Korean Air told media that the airline is currently investigating the cause of the diversion and plans to put the aircraft under maintenance after a thorough safety inspection.

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