'A muffled boom and ... ': Boeing 737 plummets nearly 26,000 feet; fearing death, passenger writes will

Passengers aboard the Boeing 737 that made an emergency landing on Monday after a sudden 26,000-foot plunge have shared harrowing accounts of their near-death ordeal. The passengers described the scenes of chaos and fear, with oxygen masks dropping, flight attendants shouting, and some travelers preparing for the worst by writing wills and sharing bank PINs.

The Spring Airlines flight from Shanghai to Tokyo had taken off from Shanghai Pudong Airport and was en route to Narita Airport when the terrifying drop occurred, prompting swift action from the crew.

The plane, with 191 aboard, was forced to drop swiftly from 36,000 feet to just below 10,500 feet within ten minutes.

The videos that went viral on social media showed almost all passengers wearing oxygen masks. The flight ultimately diverted to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan, after the emergency was declared.

Terrifying moments aboard a Spring Airlines Boeing 737 from Shanghai Pudong to Tokyo Narita — the flight experienced a sudden rapid descent mid-air! pic.twitter.com/Y1kwyorAUA

— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) June 30, 2025

'I heard a muffled boom'

Recalling the moment of horror, one passenger said, "I heard a muffled boom, and the oxygen mask fell off in a few seconds. The stewardess cried and shouted to put on the oxygen mask, saying the plane had a malfunction," the Daily Mail reported citing AP.

Another shaken passenger recounted being “on verge of tears” as they hastily wrote their will and noted down their insurance details and bank card PINs.

The airline provided 15,000 yen (about $104) and a night’s lodging as compensation for the incident. The incident is being probed.

All 191 passengers and crew escaped injury.