Terrifying moment Qantas passengers feared for their lives when their plane was forced to make emergency landing

A mine operator has recalled the terrifying moment a Qantas plane he was traveling on nosedived, leaving those on board so scared they were going to die that they started texting the last messages to loved ones.

QantasLink flight QF1624 was departing Perth on Monday afternoon en route to the mining town of Paraburdoo in Western Australia’s Pilbara region when the plane was suddenly diverted and forced to make a priority landing in Geraldton.

Simon Rushton described the flight as a ‘harrowing experience’ and claimed the pilot ordered everyone on board to get into the brace position for landing.

He has also accused the airline of downplaying the incident and claims some are doing so on board were treated by paramedics from St. John Ambulance.

“People on that plane, including myself, thought there was a very real chance we were going to die,” Rushton told Nine News.

“I was texting my loved ones.”

Mr Ruston previously told a Perth radio station that the plane took a terrifying dive.

The aircraft then lurched ‘up and down’ for approximately 10 minutes.

“Everyone felt the kind of weightlessness you get when you go over a steep slope and thought ‘what is that?'” Mr Rushton said.

‘Stomach pits down to your throat, it was not pleasant at all.

“The pilot came over the air and told everyone – including the cabin crew – to immediately put on their seat belts securely and get into the brace position.”

Passengers were then informed that the plane would make an emergency landing and that they would feel a large impact and then several smaller ones.

Network Aviation chief pilot Evan Bartlett told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that the priority landing was due to a mechanical problem.

“We understand why customers were concerned about the diversion to Geraldton last night after the aircraft experienced an issue with the autoflight system,” he said.

‘Our pilots and crew are well trained to deal with these types of situations.

‘After attempts to resolve the problem, the crew decided to divert to Geraldton Airport.

‘The crew followed standard safety procedures, with customers instructed to assume the brace position upon landing as a precaution.

A passenger said the airline had underestimated the severity of the incident, with those on the plane fearing they would die (photo in the cabin)

Emergency vehicles were on the tarmac as a precaution when the plane landed in Geraldton

“The aircraft landed normally in Geraldton and we are now carrying out a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the mechanical problem.

“We understand that this was a distressing experience for those on board and we sincerely apologize. We are in the process of contacting all customers to offer our support.”

But, Mr Rushton said Calling the incident “a disturbing experience,” it was “significantly downplayed.”

Emergency services met the plane on the tarmac as a precaution, but a Qantas spokesperson said they were not needed.

The aircraft later returned to Perth where passengers were booked onto new flights.