Qantas plane plunges over 20,000 feet during Melbourne-bound flight

[Ryan N]

Qantas plane plunges over 20,000 feet during Melbourne-bound flight
By Wes Hosking
From: Herald Sun
January 25, 2011 11:12AM

A MELBOURNE-bound Qantas flight reportedly plunged 20,000 feet during a mid-air drama this morning.

Worried passengers were reportedly told to put on oxygen masks during the incident aboard this morning's flight.

A passenger, who declined to be named, said the scare occurred shortly after flight QF670 left Adelaide about 6.10am.

He said the captain announced the precaution was being taken because the plane's air conditioning system had failed.

"All of the oxygen masks dropped down,'' the passenger said.

"The captain came across and said 'This is an emergency'.''

The plane reportedly descended from over 30,000 to about 10,000 feet.

Passengers were forced to keep masks on for about five minutes, the passenger said.

"Everyone had to breathe into them until the plane dropped,'' he said.

"Most people were pretty worried because you do not know what is going on really.

"It's not pleasant that is for sure.''

The flight arrived in Melbourne safely just before 8am (AEDT).

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