‘We are falling, we will die!’ Scary video from Turkish Airlines flight after 3 failed landing attempts in storm
“We are falling, we will die”: Turkish Airlines Flight Diverted After Stormy Landing Attempts
Bharatmorning.com – “We are falling, we will die” were among the terrified cries heard from passengers on a Turkish Airlines flight travelling from Istanbul to Tunisia after the aircraft encountered severe weather near Tunis-Carthage International Airport. The frightening incident took place on Thursday, September 10, as the plane began its descent toward Tunisia’s capital.
Videos recorded inside the cabin showed passengers screaming, holding tightly to their seats and reacting to intense turbulence during the approach. Although the experience was deeply distressing for those on board, the aircraft was ultimately diverted and landed safely at Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, around 100 kilometres south of Tunis.
Three unsuccessful attempts to land in Tunis
Passenger Marina Maiskaya shared videos of the turbulent approach on Instagram. She said the journey from Istanbul had been calm before conditions changed dramatically as the aircraft descended toward Tunis.
The flight itself was smooth, but things turned absolutely terrifying as soon as we began our descent. I have never in my life feared for my life like that — and my mom was with me, too.
According to Maiskaya, the pilots made three attempts to land at Tunis-Carthage International Airport while flying through the storm. Each approach brought violent shaking, leaving passengers anxious as the aircraft continued through unsettled weather.
In the videos, passengers can be heard shouting in fear, including cries of “We are falling, we will die.” One clip appears to capture a sudden drop during the descent, while a loud humming noise can also be heard in the cabin as the aircraft moves through the turbulent conditions.
The pilot tried to land the plane at the same airport three times, flying right through a storm! We were shaken violently each time, and on the third attempt, we actually started to plummet.
Maiskaya described the most frightening moment as feeling like several seconds of free fall. The footage shows travellers gripping armrests and seats as they wait for the aircraft to stabilise during the difficult landing attempts.
Why the Turkish Airlines crew diverted the flight
After the repeated unsuccessful approaches, the Turkish Airlines crew chose not to continue trying to land at Tunis-Carthage. Instead, the flight was diverted to Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, where it touched down safely.
A diversion is a normal aviation safety measure when weather, runway conditions or other operational concerns make landing at the intended airport unsuitable. Rather than forcing an approach in dangerous conditions, pilots can proceed to an alternate airport that offers a safer arrival.
The decision brought relief to the passengers after the stormy descent. Footage shared by Maiskaya showed people applauding once the aircraft landed safely at Enfidha-Hammamet.
We made it through safely, perhaps thanks to the Turkish Airlines pilots.
The “We are falling, we will die” video highlights how alarming turbulence can feel for passengers, especially during descent. Repeated landing attempts can make the situation seem even more frightening because travellers know the aircraft is close to its destination but cannot see the weather or the operational decisions being made in the cockpit.
For pilots, however, a missed approach or diversion is a precautionary choice. The crew’s decision to redirect the Turkish Airlines flight allowed the journey to end safely, with no injuries described in the videos shared by the passenger.
FAQ: Turkish Airlines Flight Diversion in Tunisia
Why did the Turkish Airlines flight not land in Tunis?
The aircraft encountered severe weather while approaching Tunis-Carthage International Airport. The pilots reportedly attempted to land three times before diverting the flight to Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport.
Where did the flight land after the diversion?
The Turkish Airlines flight landed safely at Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, located roughly 100 kilometres south of Tunis.
What did passengers say during the turbulent descent?
Videos from the cabin captured frightened passengers shouting, with “We are falling, we will die” among the cries heard during the difficult approach.
Are flight diversions carried out for safety?
Yes. Airlines may divert a flight when weather or other operational conditions make a landing at the scheduled airport unsafe or unsuitable.