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Passengers on a Japan Airlines flight from Shanghai to Tokyo experienced a terrifying ordeal when their Boeing 737-800 suddenly descended nearly 26,000 feet on Monday (June 30). The aircraft, operated by Spring Airlines Japan, was forced to make an emergency landing at Kansai International Airport in Osaka after a cabin pressure failure triggered the deployment of oxygen masks.
The plane, carrying 191 people, dropped from 36,000 feet to just under 10,500 feet in less than 10 minutes, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Passengers, fearing for their lives, began writing farewell notes and sharing personal information with loved ones. One passenger described the scene as "violent and abrupt," while others reported flight attendants in tears.
Despite the panic, the aircraft landed safely, and no physical injuries were reported. However, the emotional impact on passengers was significant. Japan Airlines offered compensation of 15,000 yen (approximately $93) and accommodation for affected passengers.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the sudden descent.