Terrified passengers write goodbye letters, will as plane drops 26,000ft
02 Jul 2025

A Japan Airlines flight from Shanghai to Tokyo experienced a terrifying incident on Monday when the Boeing 737-800 aircraft plunged nearly 26,000 feet.

The flight, JL8696/IJ004, was headed for Narita Airport when it suddenly dropped from an altitude of 36,000 feet to just under 10,500 feet in less than 10 minutes due to a suspected cabin pressure failure.

The rapid descent triggered the deployment of oxygen masks inside the cabin.

Flight diverted to Osaka, passengers offered compensation
Emergency response

The pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and diverted the flight to Kansai International Airport in Osaka.

The plane landed safely at 8:50pm local time.

The 191 passengers were kept on board for over an hour before disembarking.

Spring Airlines Japan has since offered each passenger 15,000 yen (around $93) as compensation for the ordeal.

Passengers on social media express fear, investigation underway
Passenger impact

The incident has raised safety concerns over the Boeing 737 series, which has been involved in multiple fatal crashes globally.

Passengers expressed their shock and fear on social media, with one stating that she wrote a farewell note to her husband during the descent.

Another person on "the verge of tears" quickly penned their will and financial details.

"The stewardess cried and shouted to put on oxygen mask, saying the plane had a malfunction," one passenger said, according to People.

No injuries were reported
Probe

No injuries were reported when the plane arrived in Osaka at about 8:50pm local time.

The aircraft maker has been in hot water since an incident on one of its Alaska Airlines flights last year, when a side exit door was blown off in mid-flight.

An investigation is underway into this incident by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.