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A passenger on a transatlantic flight is counting his blessings after extreme turbulence caused him to fly across the plane’s cabin and end up stuck in the ceiling.
In a video from the incident, the passenger’s legs can be seen dangling from the overhead compartment of Air Europa’s flight UX045, which was en route from Madrid to Montevideo, Uruguay, on Monday. His moving feet offered some reassurance to fellow travelers, who eventually helped him down and returned him to his seat.
During the incident, other passengers were also tossed from their seats as the aircraft experienced sudden turbulence over the Atlantic. In total, 30 of the 325 passengers on board suffered injuries.
The aftermath of the turbulence was captured in additional pictures and videos showing a scene of disarray inside the aircraft, with oxygen masks deployed and parts of the ceiling damaged.
Passengers later described the frightening experience to Uruguayan media, comparing it to a scene from a horror movie and akin to a brush with death.
Following the incident, Air Europa diverted the plane to Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The passengers who were injured received medical treatment at Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital in Natal.
This incident adds to Boeing’s recent challenges, including a series of mishaps and tragic accidents. One of the most notable is the loss of a life due to severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight back in May.