Hey there, folks! Hope you’re all doing well. Let’s kick off today’s chat with a little bit of airline news. A recent Korean Air flight certainly gave its passengers more than they bargained for.
Flight 189, bound for Taichung, Taiwan from Seoul, South Korea, did quite the unexpected U-turn. Just a short while after takeoff, the plane had to return to Seoul. This unexpected return trip happened after only reaching the southernmost tip of the Korean peninsula.
But what caused this sudden change in course? It appears there was an issue with the plane’s pressurization system. The plane, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, according to flight tracking data, experienced a pressurization problem which resulted in a sudden, steep descent. This plane ended up dropping about 25,000 feet, or roughly 4.75 miles, in about eight minutes.
BREAKING 🚨: Boeing $BA
A Boeing 737 Max 8 flown by Korean Air descended 25,000 feet within 5 minutes shortly after takeoff after the plane’s pressurization system malfunctioned pic.twitter.com/QSGtrYNadR
— Barchart (@Barchart) June 25, 2024
This was not just your average flight turbulence. This drastic drop resulted in approximately 17 of the 125 passengers aboard sustaining minor injuries. These included symptoms of hyperventilation and eardrum pain.
Certainly, not the in-flight entertainment anyone was hoping for.
However, the surprises didn’t stop there. Flight tracker data indicates that the plane appeared to fly in an oval shape several times before returning to Seoul, finally landing just after 7:30 p.m. local time.
Korean Air has confirmed this incident, assuring everyone that they are working closely with relevant authorities to investigate. They are taking responsibility for their passengers, offering medical treatment, accommodation, meals, and more.
A Korean Air spokesperson emphasized their commitment to passenger safety in a statement, apologizing to all those affected by the incident.
Boeing airplanes seem to be continually having issues like the one below:
Video shows $BA Boeing 777 plane wheel falling off while taking off from Fan Francisco. It was United Flight 35…
pic.twitter.com/l7Aneq40Ex— Special Situations 🌐 Research Newsletter (Jay) (@SpecialSitsNews) March 7, 2024
