Passenger Recounts Terrifying Experience on Ryanair Flight Forced to Return to UK Mid-Flight
A passenger aboard the Ryanair flight that had to return to the United Kingdom following a mid-flight emergency described the ordeal as reminiscent of a horror movie.
The Boeing 737 MAX, which took off from Birmingham Airport around 2:50 pm on Sunday, December 28, activated a 7700 squawk over Brittany, France, at an altitude of 35,000ft, indicating a general emergency.
Initially bound for Tenerife, the aircraft was compelled to turn back to the UK during the journey.
Describing the incident, a 33-year-old passenger from Lichfield, who opted to remain anonymous, expressed, “It felt like something you see on a horror movie.” The sudden jerking movements of the aircraft startled passengers, causing a sense of loss of control and a rapid descent that threw them out of their seats.
Passengers informed The Aviation Herald that flight FR1121 encountered turbulence resulting in injuries during cabin service. Following this, the flight made a U-turn and descended to a lower altitude of 10,000ft.
The plane safely landed back at Birmingham approximately one hour and 32 minutes after departure. Medical personnel attended to passengers as the aircraft was parked on a remote stand at the airport. The extent of injuries sustained by the passengers is yet to be determined.
One passenger shared, “I emerged physically unscathed, but the mental anguish is overwhelming… this incident has been truly traumatizing.” The cabin crew also relayed that in their ten years of service, they had never encountered such a situation.
While some passengers claimed to have seen a fighter jet near the Boeing before the turbulence, this remains unconfirmed.
Ryanair released a statement confirming the return of flight FR1121 to Birmingham Airport due to air turbulence shortly after take-off. The aircraft landed safely, passengers disembarked, and a few individuals received medical assistance before the flight continued to Tenerife at 9:06 pm local time.
The Mirror has contacted the airline for additional comments.