A Korean Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane encountered a cabin pressurisation system malfunction just after taking off from Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. The incident was on Flight KE189 to Taichung, Taiwan on Saturday afternoon, according to the New York Post.
While over Jeju Island and approximately fifty minutes into the flight, the pressurization system shows an error.The pilot decided to go back to Incheon and at 7.38 p.m. The aircraft landed safely. As a result of this mechanical fault, Yonhap News Agency reported that the Boeing 737 MAX 8 had descended rapidly from over 30,000 feet altitude to about 9,000 feet.
This rapid descent also reportedly caused significant discomfort and health problems for some of the one hundred twenty five passengers onboard. On other hand two people complained of nose bleeds while additional fifteen claimed suffering from earache and hyperventilation.One passenger said it reminded him of going through G-forces on an extreme roller coaster ride. Specifically there were thirteen who receive medical attention but no serious injuries were mentioned as well.
The turbulence was so severe on board a Taiwanese woman has told her story through social media. Immediately after serving lunch however; the airplane began losing elevation sharply leading to widespread panic amongst the passengers.
The passenger had intense pain in her ears and head as well as dizziness; meanwhile children began crying aboard the plane. The cabin crew responded fast by picking up meal trays and distributing masks containing oxygen among travellers. As soon as they grounded at Incheon Airport she expressed how thankful she was considering what she had gone through.
Korean Air has apologised for this incident and is conducting an extensive investigation to determine why its pressurizing system failed. The airline is carrying out essential maintenance procedures aimed at averting similar incidents in future. Passengers involved will be schedule for alternative flights returning them to Taichung on Sunday morning.
