Jet Airways: Flight returns to Mumbai after passengers bleed mid-air

In a bizarre turn of incident on Thursday morning, a Jaipur bound Jet Airways flight with 166 passengers had to turn back shortly after take-off because of a catastrophic mistake by its crew.

More than 30 passengers have suffered nose and ear bleed after the crew on flight 9W 697 reportedly forgot to select a switch that helps maintain cabin air pressure during take-off. Many of them also compared of severe headaches.

Darshak Hathi, a passenger on the same Jet flight, who had also experienced the scare on board, tweeted a video of the moment when the oxygen masks deployed.

Panic situation due to technical fault in @jetairways 9W 0697 going from Mumbai to Jaipur. Flt return back to Mumbai after 45 mts. All passengers are safe including me. pic.twitter.com/lnOaFbcaps

— Darshak Hathi (@DarshakHathi) September 20, 2018

A DGCA officer told news agency PTI, “During climb, the crew forgot to select a bleed switch due to which cabin pressurisation could not be maintained.”

Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that, the crew has been taken off duty and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has started an investigation into how the incident happened.

A Jet Airways spokesperson said the Boeing 737 aircraft landed safely in Mumbai. “All guests were deplaned safely and taken to the terminal. First aid was administered to few guests who complained of ear pain, bleeding nose,” the spokesperson said. The airline said it will arrange alternate flights for the passengers.

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