A Japan Airlines flight operating a codeshare service with its low-cost subsidiary Spring Airlines Japan was forced to make an emergency landing at Kansai International Airport on Monday evening after a suspected cabin depressurisation incident. The Boeing 737 aircraft, operating flight JL8696/IJ004 from Shanghai to Tokyo Narita, experienced a rapid descent of approximately 7,000 metres, sparking panic among the 191 passengers and crew on board.
During the flight, which was over the skies of Kyushu around 7:55pm Japan time (6:55pm Malaysian time), pilots received a warning of possible cabin pressure loss. Oxygen masks were deployed throughout the cabin as a precaution, and passengers were instructed to put them on immediately. The aircraft descended quickly to 3,000 metres, after which the warning was cancelled, and the plane was able to proceed safely to an emergency landing at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture.
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism confirmed that the incident involved a Boeing 737-800. All 185 passengers and six crew members disembarked without injuries or reports of discomfort. Spring Airlines Japan stated it is conducting a full investigation into the cause of the suspected depressurisation.
Terrifying Ordeal for Passengers as Oxygen Masks Deploy Mid-Flight
Videos circulating online show the cabin filled with tense passengers wearing oxygen masks that had dropped suddenly from the overhead compartments. One passenger, sharing their ordeal on social media, described the harrowing moments when the aircraft plunged rapidly from cruising altitude: “People are still here, but our souls are gone! My legs are still shaking. In the face of life and death, everything else feels trivial.”
Another traveller recounted that the plane began its rapid descent around 7pm, plunging over 20 minutes to below 3,000 metres — likening the experience to the sensation of a free fall. Witnesses described the atmosphere on board as filled with fear, but praised the crew for their professionalism in keeping passengers informed and calm throughout the emergency.
Aviation safety experts note that sudden cabin depressurisation can occur due to structural issues, system malfunctions, or external factors such as damage to the fuselage. Modern aircraft are equipped with oxygen masks and automated warning systems to mitigate the risks and allow pilots to descend to a breathable altitude as quickly as possible.
Authorities and Airline Launch Investigation into Boeing 737 Incident
The Japanese transport ministry confirmed that the emergency landing was carried out without further incident, and the aircraft was inspected upon arrival at Kansai International Airport. Investigators from both Spring Airlines Japan and Japan’s aviation authority will review maintenance records, flight data, and crew reports to determine the root cause of the depressurisation alert.
The incident has raised concerns among frequent flyers about aviation safety on budget carriers, although experts emphasise that cabin pressure incidents are rare and that modern jets are designed to withstand extreme scenarios. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism assured the public that a comprehensive review is underway, with safety remaining the top priority for all airlines operating in Japan.
Passengers from the affected flight were later provided with alternative arrangements to continue their journeys to Tokyo. While shaken by the experience, many expressed relief at the swift response of the pilots and cabin crew, which helped avert a more serious outcome.