Steep drop causes panic on Lufthansa Abuja-Frankfurt flight

…airline says no passenger was hurt

IFEOMA OKEKE

There was panic on a Frankfurt-bound Lufthansa flight which took off from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja on Sunday, following a steep and sudden descent of the airplane which left passengers stomachs churning.
Some passengers on the flight said the plane descended rapidly from 35,000 feet to 5,000 feet but did not give their source.

It was gathered that Lufthansa flight LH595 flight left Abuja for Frankfurt, Germany, at about 11.15 pm.

Trouble started shortly after take-off when the plane descended so rapidly that passengers feared it was going to crash.

A passenger who was on-board said the aircraft crew, however, declined to make a stop at a nearby airport in spite of pleas from passengers.

The passenger recounted that due to the fear, they could not be served food and drinks and neither could the crew members attend to other welfare concerns.

However, Lufthansa said in a statement, that no passenger was hurt in the incident.

“We can confirm that on flight LH595 last Sunday (18 FEB) from Abuja to Frankfurt, a brief weather-related turbulence was experienced. The Airbus A330 aircraft took off in Abuja at 23:13 with 197 passengers on board and landed at 5:17 in Frankfurt as planned (all times local). After take-off in Abuja, there was moderate turbulence during the ascent for a few seconds due to bad weather.
“At that time, since the seat-belt signs were still on, all guests and the crew members were safely seated with their seat belts fastened. Safety on board was never compromised. No passengers or crew members were injured. The flight continued normally,” the airline said.