Japan Airlines flight descends rapidly due to mechanical issue; lands safely

Sharon Petersen, CEO of AirlineRatings, explained: “This would have been an absolutely terrifying experience for passengers, and it’s natural for panic to set in when those oxygen masks appear. In today’s world of social media and fast-moving headlines, it’s important to clarify that this was not a sudden 26,000-foot freefall like a rollercoaster. The descent was rapid and steep, yet it was controlled. The pilots maintained full command of the aircraft at all times and followed all safety protocols precisely.”

Another passenger recalled being awakened by the pressure drop as oxygen masks deployed suddenly while they were sleeping. A third passenger described being "on the verge of tears," using the time to write down personal details such as insurance information.

Footage shared by Newsflare depicted passengers wearing oxygen masks amid an emergency announcement by a flight attendant. An alert about an abnormality in the pressurization system led pilots to declare an emergency and divert the plane to Kansai International Airport in Osaka where it landed safely at approximately 8:50 p.m. local time without any injuries reported.