An American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Gainesville lost cabin pressurization nearly halfway into the trip, triggering oxygen masks to drop and a steep descent.  

The flight, one of four that flies the route each day, left Charlotte around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Around 45 minutes into the trip, an American Airlines spokesperson said a malfunction caused the plane to depressurize.  

“While in flight, the crew received an indication of a possible pressurization issue and immediately and safely descended to a lower altitude,” American Airlines said in a statement to Fox News. 

The pilot dropped the plane 15,000 feet in altitude within three minutes before continuing into Gainesville and arriving 38 minutes late but safe.  

Harrison Hove, a UF professor, was on the flight and posted photos to Twitter along with thanks to the crew.   

“The photos cannot capture the burning smell, loud bang or ear pops,” Hove said in the post. “Good to be on the ground.” 

Despite the issue, GNV airport spokesperson Erin Porter said the pilot and airline never declared an emergency, so the airport never got involved or rolled out emergency vehicles.