A Jet Airways flight was forced to return to its origin on Thursday after about 30 passengers experienced ear and nose bleeds because of low cabin pressure.
Jet Airways Flight 9W697, which was traveling from Mumbai (BOM) to Jaipur (JAI) with 166 passengers and five crew on board, took off normally from BOM. However, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft was forced to return to Mumbai, where it landed normally. An official with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told CNN that the crew forgot to pressurize the cabin.
“During climb, crew forgot to select bleed switch due to which cabin pressurization could not be maintained, and oxygen masks got deployed,” the official said.
Video posted to social media shows the cabin of the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 (registration VT-JGS), with oxygen masks deployed.
“All guests were deplaned safely and taken to the terminal,” Jet Airways said in a statement. “First aid was administered to few guests who complained of ear pain, bleeding nose, etc.” Five people were referred to a hospital for additional medical attention and have since been released.
While Jet Airways confirmed in a statement that the aircraft turned back because of a loss of cabin pressure, the spokesperson refused to confirm that the depressurization was caused by crew error.
In a statement issued on the airline’s Twitter account, 144 of the 166 passengers opted to travel to Jaipur via an alternative Jet Airways flight, while 17 passengers chose to travel at another time.
The airline said that it’s working with the DGCA in the investigation, and apologized for any inconvenience.
This depressurization incident isn’t the first of its kind. In October, a depressurized AirAsia aircraft dropped 20,000 feet, causing panic among passengers. And just last month, a Qantas pilot was incapacitated midair when the cabin suddenly depressurized. If you’re ever in an emergency situation that requires the use of an oxygen mask, be sure to know how it works.
Featured image by Yatrik Sheth / Getty Images.