Oxygen masks suddenly fell in a false emergency as a plane descended 7,000 feet to avoid turbulence, report says

The New Zealand Herald reported that Oxygen masks were used on the Air New Zealand flight as it descended 7,000 feet to avoid turbulence.

The passengers on NZ5 woke up to the cabin lighting suddenly turning on and an announcement saying "This is an emergency". This is a serious situation. The paper said to put on your mask.

Morgan Kelly, a passenger on the flight, told the Herald that she saw at least two people having panic attacks.

The flight attendants have to get into it as quickly as possible. She said it was a harrowing 15 minutes of no one knowing what was happening.

After checking the systems, the pilot told the cabin crew to wear oxygen masks and follow emergency instructions.

The masks had to be manually restored after the flight had ended.

Captain David Morgan, the airline's safety chief, told the New Zealand Herald that the masks were automatically deployed after the flight descended from 34,000 feet to 27,000 feet.

Customers were asked to put on their oxygen masks during the descent.

We apologize for the wake up call on this flight. Oxygen masks were not required. It was distressing for our customers when our cabin crew and pilots reassured everyone on the plane.

Oxygen masks are usually used when there are cabin pressurization problems or a reduction in altitude.

An Air NZ spokesman told the NZ Herald that the fault would be fixed before the next flight.