Then followed a period of frantic dancing, more chatting, more beaming at strangers before, at the 45-minute mark, a rapid descent to earth.

As intelligence indicated that both bridges had been prepared for demolition, a rapid descent from 6,000 feet was chosen, to avoid the gliders' approach at a lower altitude being detected.

The rapid descent of the chancellor's political stock lately appears to have taught him the importance of masking his disdain.

The pilot then reportedly initiated a rapid descent aimed at putting out a fire on board and clearing smoke.

The plane landed with no incident and only one minor injury was recorded in someone's inner ear due to the rapid descent.