Equipment failure is quite common. Like the oxygen supply malfunctioning or the defibrillator not working properly when it's urgently needed.
Unruly passengers can also be part of flight horror stories. I've heard of cases where drunk passengers got into fights and created chaos on the plane. Also, bad weather conditions that the plane has to struggle through, such as thunderstorms or heavy snowfall, are often in these stories.
Engine problems are quite common. For example, sudden engine failure or overheating can lead to terrifying situations. Another common element is bad weather like violent storms or strong turbulence. Also, bird strikes are a recurrent theme in these stories.
Turbulence is very common. It can make the flight seem endless as passengers endure the shaking and jolting for long periods. Another element is mechanical problems. Even a small issue that causes strange noises or vibrations can be terrifying when you're thousands of feet in the air and the flight is long. Also, unruly passengers can add to the horror. If someone is causing a disturbance or being threatening, it makes the flight feel much worse.
Well, a lot of flight attendants talk about horror stories related to turbulence. There have been times when turbulence hits so suddenly and severely that flight attendants and passengers are thrown around. Also, there are horror stories about lost luggage. Sometimes the luggage handling system messes up and passengers blame the flight attendants even though it's not really their fault.
Misdiagnosis is quite common. For example, thinking a broken bone is just a sprain. Another is improper handling of medical emergencies, like not knowing how to use an EpiPen during an anaphylactic shock. Also, poor communication with students and parents can be a horror story in itself, like not informing parents promptly about their child's condition at school.
One common element is unruly passengers. Whether they are drunk, mentally unstable or just plain rude, they can make the flight a nightmare for others. Another is flight crew incompetence. If they can't handle situations like medical emergencies or rowdy passengers properly, it just adds to the horror.
Weather conditions are often a part of these horror stories. For example, unexpected strong winds or sudden fog that makes visibility extremely low. Trainees may not be fully prepared for such harsh weather during their training flights.
Overwork is a common element. Nurse aides are often made to handle more patients than they can manage. Another one is lack of support from management. When things go wrong, like a patient incident, they are blamed instead of getting help. Also, difficult patients can be a big part of these horror stories.
Weather - related issues are often in scary flight stories. Thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds can make a flight very scary. Pilots have to navigate through these difficult conditions, and passengers can see and feel the violent shaking of the plane. Also, strange noises coming from the plane can be a common element. When passengers hear unexplained creaking or rattling, they start to worry that something is seriously wrong with the aircraft.
There was a case where a flight nurse was on a long - haul flight with a critically ill patient. Suddenly, there were issues with the medical equipment on board. They had to improvise and use their basic medical knowledge to keep the patient alive until they could land and get proper equipment. It was a nerve - wracking experience as they weren't sure if their makeshift solutions would work.