Chinese passengers describe Japan Airlines flight’s violent plunge before emergency landing
The budget Spring Airlines Japan flight from Shanghai to Tokyo diverted to Kansai where it landed safely on Monday night
Japan Airlines flight JL8696 from Shanghai to Tokyo was forced to make an emergency landing at Kansai Airport on Monday evening after what passengers described as a sudden descent in the aircraft.
The aircraft was on a code-share service operated by budget carrier Spring Airlines Japan as IJ004 from Pudong to Narita when it diverted to the airport in Osaka for an emergency landing at around 8.50pm local time.
None of the 191 passengers and crew on board the Boeing 737-800 was injured. According to the Japanese government, the pilots contacted air traffic controllers when the aircraft triggered an alert about an irregularity in the pressurisation system that maintains cabin air pressure.
‘Terrifying’: China flight forced to land, with passengers reporting burning smell
Shanghai-bound Shandong Airlines flight diverted because of ‘aircraft malfunction’, lands safely in eastern China
“All affected passengers have been properly accommodated, and another aircraft has been dispatched to operate subsequent flights,” the post said.
“Terrifying,” the user wrote. “There were a few loud bangs, then the plane started shaking side to side by about 10 degrees, with a burnt smell that lasted for five to 10 minutes.”
The captain then announced the emergency landing in Nanjing, and the entire process was “very smooth”, the user said, adding: “Thumbs up to the Shandong Airlines pilots.”
A photo posted by the user showed emergency response vehicles, including fire trucks and police cars, at the airport after the plane landed.
