Korean Air Flight Dips 26,900 Feet In 15 Minutes; 13 Passengers Hospitalised

The incident involving Korean Airlines Flight KE189, bound for Taiwan from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on a Saturday, unfolded dramatically as technical issues emerged just 50 minutes into the flight.

According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft experienced a sudden and steep descent, dropping approximately 26,900 feet within a mere 15-minute span. This alarming development prompted the deployment of oxygen masks onboard as the plane rapidly lost altitude, as reported by First Post.

After the crew managed to stabilize the situation, the flight returned to Incheon International Airport, where it landed safely more than two hours after departure. Upon landing, reports from Korean media indicated that 13 passengers required hospitalization, while 15 others complained of ear pain or hyperventilation due to the severe descent.

The flight eventually resumed its journey to Taipei, Taiwan, landing there approximately 19 hours after its initial departure. Passengers recounted harrowing experiences, with some, like Tseng, quoted in The Taipei Times, describing scenes of children crying and widespread fear among passengers as they braced for potential impact during the flight's turbulent descent.

The incident left a lasting impact on many passengers, with some expressing reluctance to ever fly again after such a traumatic experience. The airline and relevant authorities are expected to conduct thorough investigations into the cause of the technical malfunction and the handling of the emergency to prevent similar incidents in the future.