Passengers and cabin crew were reportedly thrown to the ceiling
16:53, 13 Jul 2026Updated 18:48, 13 Jul 2026
Emergency services in Nantes Airport, France, Friday July 10 2026 after flight from Alicante to Liverpool John Lennon Airport diverts(Image: Supplied)
People on a Liverpool-bound flight “thought they were going to die” as passengers and air hostesses were thrown into the ceiling of the plane due to mid-air turbulence. Ryanair flight FR 9887 was due to fly from Alicante at 4.35pm to Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) on Friday, July 10.
However, two passengers on the flight have told the ECHO how it was forced to divert to Nantes in France due to the turbulence which left multiple people injured and was later confirmed by Ryanair. One passenger, who was flying back to Liverpool with a friend after a group holiday, said the flight took off later than scheduled at 6.05pm.
Speaking to the ECHO, he said the terrifying turbulence began around an hour into the flight, which sent some passengers on the flight and cabin crew into the roof. He said: “The captain said it was severe turbulence but I’ve never known anything like that.
“It happened really quick. The plane dropped really bad. Everyone was screaming and crying.
“The air hostesses went up in the air. It levelled off and calmed down for a couple of seconds. Then it went again. During the second time, it was absolutely terrifying.
“Passengers had their hands on people’s shoulders and held them down so they wouldn’t hit the roof. It was the most terrifying experience.
Emergency services were on the runway when the plane landed(Image: Supplied)
“Everyone was screaming, crying, we all thought we were going to die. People were shaking and screaming. If you had a drink, it was on the ceiling, two girls were covered in coffee.
“My friend got covered head to toe in coffee. The pilot said it dropped 300 feet in a couple of seconds.
“We had to land in Nates. The paramedics came on. They put one girl in a stretcher. The poor girl hit the roof.
“One of the air hostesses was taken to hospital, she had a knee injury. I saw a man with a neck brace on. When they let us off, they asked every one of us if we needed assistance.”
The passenger said he and others on the flight waited in the departure lounge before a replacement plane later took them to LJLA. He said: “In the lounge, everyone was covered in coffee. One guy had blood on his face.”
A Ryanair spokesperson told the ECHO: “FR9887 from Alicante to Liverpool Friday, July 10, experienced some air turbulence mid-flight.
“The aircraft diverted and landed normally at Nantes Airport, and a small group of passengers were taken for medical treatment.
“A replacement aircraft was arranged and departed for Liverpool at 12.20am local time.”