United Airlines Passenger Describes Terrifying Plunge Due to Pressurization Issue

A United Airlines passenger, Tato Lovere, recently shared a harrowing experience aboard a flight that rapidly descended 28,000 feet in just 10 minutes due to a pressurization problem. Lovere, a 47-year-old artist from Jersey City, was traveling with her boyfriend to celebrate her birthday on a flight to Rome when the unexpected incident occurred.

According to Lovere, UA Flight 510, a 777-200ER aircraft, carrying 270 passengers and 14 crew members, started its dramatic descent shortly after taking off from Newark Liberty International Airport. She described feeling a “sick feeling” in her stomach as passengers looked at each other with fear and confusion. In a moment of distress, she texted her daughter to express her love and pride.

Throughout the terrifying experience, the captain and flight attendants made announcements over the intercom, alerting passengers to issues with the aircraft and the possibility of an emergency landing in Halifax, Canada. Lovere noted that the flight attendants appeared scared and helpless, with one of them even shedding tears.

Lovere’s daughter tracked the flight online and observed it circling over Nova Scotia before returning to Newark after a 3 hour and 50 minutes. Concerned about the situation, she called United Airlines for information but was told that everything was fine.

The flight eventually landed safely back in Newark, where passengers were informed that a six or eight-inch hole on the aircraft’s side had caused the loss of cabin pressure. Lovere expressed her shock and anger that United Airlines had not been transparent with her daughter about the incident.

Despite the trauma, Lovere and her boyfriend were able to board another flight to Rome later that night. She hopes that United Airlines thoroughly investigates the incident to prevent similar situations in the future.