Passenger Recounts Terrifying Experience on Ryanair Flight Forced to Return to Birmingham
A passenger on a Ryanair flight shared details of a frightening incident where travelers were unexpectedly jolted from their seats as the aircraft lurched violently. The 33-year-old individual, who preferred to remain anonymous and hails from Lichfield, likened the ordeal to a scene from a horror movie. The flight departed Birmingham Airport at approximately 2:50 pm on December 28 and declared an emergency signal (squawk 7700) while flying over Brittany, France, after reaching an altitude of 35,000 feet.
According to reports from witnesses onboard shared with The Aviation Herald, severe turbulence hit during the meal service, resulting in several injuries among passengers. Subsequently, the plane altered its course and descended to a cruising altitude of 10,000 feet.
The passenger stated, “I was a passenger on this flight. It felt surreal, like a horror movie unfolding before our eyes. Everything was calm, and then suddenly, the plane sharply veered left and then right without warning.”
The individual continued, “It seemed like a loss of control, followed by a sudden descent that threw us out of our seats. While I escaped physical harm, the emotional impact is significant.”
The passenger also mentioned conversations with others who claimed to have seen a fighter jet passing by just before the turbulence. Questions were raised about the radar systems’ failure to detect nearby aircraft.
The aircraft safely landed back at Birmingham Airport approximately one hour and 32 minutes after departure. Following landing, medical personnel attended to passengers at an isolated parking area as per AirLive’s report.
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating, “FR1121 from Birmingham to Tenerife on December 28 returned to Birmingham Airport shortly after take-off due to air turbulence. The flight resumed to Tenerife later that evening after passengers were provided with necessary assistance.”
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