What Caused the Terrifying Mid-Flight Incident on Korean Air Flight KE189?
On June 22, 2024, a routine Korean Air flight KE189 turned into a harrowing experience for its passengers when a pressurization system fault caused the plane to make an emergency landing. The Boeing 737 Max 8, which departed from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport bound for Taichung International Airport in Taiwan, faced a dramatic and sudden descent just 50 minutes into the flight. The incident began at approximately 4:45 PM local time. As the aircraft flew over Jeju Island, a warning indicated a “pressure system abnormality.” Within 15 minutes, the plane descended rapidly, plummeting around 26,900 feet. Passengers experienced immediate distress, including hyperventilation and severe ear pain, as they struggled to use the oxygen masks that dropped from overhead compartments. One passenger recounted a chaotic scene to The Taipei Times, with children crying and a sense of panic among those on board. Another passenger noted the eerie calm of the flight attendants, who remained se...