A recent American Airlines/Piedmont Airlines flight encountered an abrupt altitude drop, with the plane descending over 18,000 feet about 43 minutes after it took off, shocking and frightening passengers.
FlightAware’s data shows that the descent of the Embraer ERJ-145 was 18,600 feet in just six minutes. During this time, passengers reported hearing a distinct sound and smelling a burnt odor.
One of the passengers, Harrison Hove, a professor at the University of Florida, recounted the event. He spoke of the ear discomfort and the evident burning smell. On social media, Hove shared images that captured the moment oxygen masks were released, which he and fellow passengers used.
American Airlines, addressing the incident, identified a pressurization concern as the reason for the swift descent. Their statement clarified: “While in flight, the crew received an indication of a possible pressurization issue and safely descended to a lower altitude.” An apology was also issued to the passengers.
On social media, Hove acknowledged the flight crew and pilots for their adept response. His posts have since received online attention.
The flight, American Eagle flight 5916 operated by Piedmont Airlines, was flying from Charlotte, North Carolina to Gainesville, Florida with 50 passengers and three crew members. It concluded its journey safely with no injuries.
