Passengers said everything was normal on board their flight from Australia to Malaysia until they heard a bang and the plane started vibrating.
The pilot told the passengers over the intercom to prepare for an emergency landing and that they should pray.
The entire cabin of the Airbus jetliner was shaking violently with 350 of passengers inside.
One witness said the plane was shuddering like a washing machine.
The Air Asia flight departed Perth and was heading to the capital of Malaysia but 90 minutes into the trip, the pilot was forced to turn around.
The captain issued a dire warning.
“Also, please, listen to everything,” the pilot said. “Our survival depends on your cooperating. Hopefully everything will turn out for the best.”
The pilot landed the plane safely in Perth.
The airline said the cause of the violent shaking is under investigation.
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