Passengers aboard a Ryanair flight experienced a scene of sheer terror, describing being violently thrown from their seats as severe turbulence struck without warning at 35,000 feet. The aircraft, operating as flight FR1121 from Birmingham to Tenerife, was forced into an emergency return to its departure airport.
A Sudden Plunge at Cruising Altitude
The flight took off from Birmingham Airport at around 2.50pm on Sunday, 28 December, beginning what should have been a routine journey to the Canary Islands. The nightmare began after the aircraft had climbed to its cruising altitude. A 33-year-old passenger from Lichfield, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the harrowing moments to reporters.
"We were smooth cruising then, out of nowhere all of a sudden, the plane jerked to the left extremely quickly and then to the right," the passenger said. "It felt like a loss of control, and then we plummeted down and we were flung out of our seats." The individual likened the experience to "something from a horror movie."
Emergency Response and Injuries
The severe turbulence occurred during the meal service, according to reports from travellers to aviation news outlet The Aviation Herald. The sudden, violent movement of the aircraft resulted in injuries to several people on board. In response to the crisis, the pilots transmitted the international emergency squawk code 7700 while flying over Brittany in France.
The aircraft then reversed its course and descended to a lower, safer altitude of 10,000 feet (FL100) for the remainder of its journey back to Birmingham. The passenger, while physically unharmed, emphasised the significant mental toll of the event. "The cabin crew said within their 10 years as cabin crew they've never experienced anything like it," they added.
Safe Landing and Aftermath
The Boeing 737-800 made a safe landing back at Birmingham Airport approximately one hour and 32 minutes after departure. Following protocols for such incidents, the plane was directed to an isolated parking stand where awaiting medical teams could assess passengers and crew.
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the incident on Sunday evening, stating: "FR1121 from Birmingham to Tenerife on 28th December returned to Birmingham Airport shortly after take-off due to air turbulence. The aircraft landed normally before passengers disembarked and returned to the terminal, where a small number of passengers were provided with medical assistance." The airline confirmed that the same aircraft later continued its journey to Tenerife, departing at 21:06 local time.
The event has left a lasting impact on those on board, with the anonymous passenger seeking answers and stating the ordeal had been deeply traumatising. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of clear-air turbulence and its potential to cause serious disruption and injury even on a short European flight.
