I’ve been on one flight in very bad weather where I really think all the passengers thought they were gonna die. Everyone was very subdued and quiet although the twin turbo-prop was getting tossed around like a plastic Wal-mart sack in a wind storm. No doubt many were saying their silent prayers as was I. What still mystifies me to this day is that the whole event took on a surreal almost slow motion feel to it as if I were observing the whole thing from a third person’s viewpoint. It was almost like my soul was observing the situation and getting ready to separate from my body as soon as the crash occurred. Thankfully, by the grace of God and the skills of our pilot we landed safely.
Your words capture my own recollections very well. People talk quietly if at all in the unnerving stroboscopic flickering ambience.
I recall especially the almost knock-the-wind-out-of-you whoompf of extreme buffeting.
Airplanes seem to be remarkably robust in that regard - the wings and tail don’t tear off during these episodes; nor do the engines tear themselves out of the wings, as much as it seems that is exactly what is happening!
What I fear most about flying is airports.