Over 30 passengers of a Jet Airways flight suffered bleeding from their nose and ears, after the cabin crew failed to maintain cabin pressure on Thursday morning. The plane had to turn back to the Mumbai airport.

Some passengers even suffered from severe headache. They are being treated by airport doctors.

“Jet Airways B737 aircraft operating flight 9W 697 of 20th Sep 2018 [Mumbai-Jaipur] had air turnback to Mumbai. During climb, crew forgot to select bleed switch due to which cabin pressurisation could not be maintained,” a senior DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) official said.

“ As a result, oxygen masks got deployed. As per initial information, few passengers had nose bleeding. Out of 166 passengers on board, 30 are affected who have nose bleeding, few have ear bleeding and some are complaining headache,” the official said.

According to Dr. Rajendra Patankar, COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Nanavati Hospital, five patients were brought to the hospital’s casualty department around 11 a.m.

 “All of them had suffered from barotrauma, which are injuries caused by the difference in air pressure. The patients were brought in with bleeding and pain in the nose and ears”, said Dr. Patankar.

ENT specialist Dr. Amol Patil was examining them. The patients underwent audiometry tests and other investigations. “All the patients were stable. They may have mild conductive deafness for some time and may have to restrict air travel for a few days." he added.

Cockpit crew taken off scheduled duties

Confirming the incident, a Jet Airways spokesperson said, "All passengers were deplaned and first aid was administered to those who complained of ear pain, bleeding nose. The flight’s cockpit crew has been taken off scheduled duties pending investigation. The airline is making alternative flight arrangements for guests on this flight,” he said in a statement.

“Jet Airways regrets the inconvenience caused to its guests,” it added.