Passengers tell of panic on flight

PASSENGERS on a FlySafair flight from Cape Town to Durban on Tuesday have taken to social media telling of their “near-death experience” after the plane was forced to make an emergency landing minutes after take off.

A three-minute video on Facebook shows panic-stricken passengers wearing oxygen masks as the plane makes a rapid descent.

FlySafair’s Kirby Gordon said the flight had departed from Cape Town International Airport just after 8pm.

“During the climb the cabin crew was alerted to an issue regarding the cabin pressurisation systems, and decided to turn back to Cape Town and implement the required safety procedures.”

In such circumstances the crew was required to initiate “the full safety protocol”, which the crew of flight FA 461 did professionally.

“The pilots turned the aircraft back towards Cape Town and initiated what in aviation is referred to as a ‘rapid descent’.”

The aircraft had reached an altitude of about 20 000 feet when the pilots started descending to 10 000 feet, an altitude at which pressurisation was not a major concern.

“In this process, as briefed at the beginning of each flight, oxygen masks were deployed from overhead panels to provide enriched air for customers to breathe during this quick descent.”

The aircraft landed safely at Cape Town airport shortly before 9pm, and was met by assistance vehicles to attend to issues that might have arisen.

“Nobody on board required any medical assistance after landing.

“Naturally, an occurrence such as this can be very upsetting to those on board.

“As soon as FA 461 landed in Cape Town the customers were met by our ground teams, who were there to see to the needs of all.

“The airline has also made counsellors available to any customers seeking to speak to someone professional regarding their experience.”

An investigation into the cause of the “technical issue” was under way.