Flight AA850 passenger rues treatment after terrifying landing
... vows never to fly with airline again
Published:Tuesday | June 25, 2024 | 12:09 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A one-way ticket to her favourite destination, Jamaica, was intended to be a time of relaxation for nurse Sonja Lowell, but a traumatic landing only served to make the experience painful.
Lowell, an intensive care specialist from California, was among 167 passengers on board American Airlines Flight 850 from Miami, Florida, to Kingston, on June 6.
Terror filled the cabin when overhead cabins flew open and the aircraft experienced a runway breach as the pilot navigated poor weather to land at the Norman Manley International Airport.
“We literally dropped on to the runway. We didn’t glide in, and that was when our entire body slammed in and people began to pray. I felt that I was going to die, but I did not want to die this way,” Lowell recalled in a Gleaner interview from the Lighthouse Inn Villa on the West End Road in Negril, Westmoreland, on Monday.
“I was there thinking that we were going to go into the ocean or into a building, so I braced myself for the splash or the bang into a building,” she added.
NO VISIBLE SCARS
There were no visible scars from the incident, but Lowell said she has been experiencing nightmares and severe headaches, while there is stiffness and severe pain in her neck, right shoulder and back, forcing her to seek the services of a chiropractor and massage therapist to relieve the discomfort.
Lowell, who noted that she is a dedicated Buddhist, says she is unhappy with how American Airlines handled the situation. She is also uncertain about taking legal action.
According to her, it took 16 days for the airline to reach out to her, despite having her contact information.
In a letter dated June 22, which was seen by The Gleaner, the airline expressed regret for the unfortunate experience.
The airline also defended the professionalism of their pilots, while giving a commitment that the incident would be used to improve its services.
“Ms Lowell, despite what happened on this occasion, thank you truly for making us aware of the situation you encountered on your American Airlines flight. We are always looking for ways to improve our service and appreciate your giving us this opportunity. Please allow us the privilege of welcoming you on board again soon,” a section of the letter read.
According to data obtained from flight-tracking site FlightAware.com, the aircraft, which was cleared to land on runway 290, circled the landing area three times before attempting to land, but missing its intended runway.
Lowell, who is scheduled to leave the island tomorrow, has vowed never to book another American Airlines flight.
“I am leaving on Wednesday, but this time on Spirit Airlines. But even if I had a return ticket, I still would not go back on American Airlines. Not for the way they treated me and the rest of the passengers on that flight,” she added.