LATAM flight 800 from Sydney to Auckland departed at approximately 11:44 am on Monday. The plane experienced a severe disturbance resulting in injuries to multiple passengers, after it seemingly just ‘dropped out of the sky’ and at least 13 passengers and crew members were transported to local hospitals with at least 50 people receiving medical attention.
The aircraft was flying at around 41,000 feet when the incident on board the Boeing 787-9 occurred as a result of a “technical problem during the flight,” leading to what passengers described as a sudden “mid-air drop” or “strong movement.”
Passengers aboard the flight recounted moments of chaos and fear as some individuals, not secured by seatbelts, were propelled through the cabin, causing injuries and damage to the aircraft’s interior. Passenger Brian Jokat described the plane suddenly dropping without warning, likening the experience to a nosedive at the top of a rollercoaster before stabilizing again. Passengers hit the ceiling, with one individual suffering broken ribs after falling back down, among other reported injuries involving broken bones and head trauma.
#Breaking #Ongoing A few hours ago, a LATAM B-787 was involved in an incident on a flight from Sydney (Australia) to Auckland (New Zealand). First reports point “technical problem” caused “strong movement” in the Cabin, with https://t.co/HdefXQoWmf reporting airplane “‘dropped… pic.twitter.com/L1u0XeET8R
— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) March 11, 2024
Immediate medical assistance was provided on board by doctors among the passengers. Significant emergency response met the aircraft on landing in Auckland. Wear your seatbelts, people.
Boeing can’t catch a break, can they?
Sticking to Airbus for now.
Woofie,
What on Earth does Boeing have to do with this? The cause was not released. A “technical issue” could be anything — pilot error, weather, maintenance failure, etc.
No need to jump to conclusions.
Frightening, but that’s what the belts are there for. Not cabin decoration.. I hope the injured heal quickly.
When we defy gravity , in winds and weather , things happen . C’est la vie .
@kmkmd – read the pilot’s comment about losing the instruments for a few seconds. Sure sounds like an issue w the plane. As a Boeing shareholder I am very concerned about the sting of recent problems.
@AC: The pilot’s comments were not in @Gary’s article. I see that comment in the linked article.
While I share your concerns regarding Boeing, how do we know it was not a pilot error or maintenance issue? My only point is lots of fingers pointing at Boeing about issues they cannot control. See the recent hysteria over the 777 that lost its wheel on takeoff. Probably not a Boeing issue, but a United maintenance issue.
@Kmkmd my guess is an autopilot issue, but we’ll find out eventually
Until then, I am continuing to prefer Airbus
the I in DEI stands for incompetence
Guess they’ll stay buckled up on their next flight.
Even Boeing employees will not fly on their planes.
I can’t even imagine not wearing a seatbelt but we all have to get up sometime.
Hmmm… If only passengers had been told to keep seat belts fastened at all times then many fewer people would have been injured.
can’t post links
article from auckland 3 hours ago quoting 50-year aviation expert to wit: it was a computer malfunction
on another board someone claimed “he was told” (i.e. has boeing connection) that it was pilot error on autopilot override
the fdr and cvr have been opened and downloaded because the 50-year guy claims the tale of the tape is a 180kt increase in airspeed with only a 25-foot drop in 1 second then recovery
in addition to a quote from one pax that says the pilot told him “his screen” “went black” for 1 second
was that before the event or as a cause of the event?
tbd, this could be a nothingburger, regular old (but very severe) cat
and then again, maybe it’s something else entirely
After decades of travel many folks don’t get air turbulence and the need to wear seat belts
They walk around doing the oddest things like there is no chance for a bump in the air like its their personal living room.Then there are those that don’t use the facilities prior to takeoff in the terminal and stand around the lavatory some over and over again.Especially silly on a 3 hour flight unless there are medical reasons.
While I’ve never stated this in a public forum I do think about it often when I am on a flight and noticing a number of other pax with no seat belts and watching videos and whatever else
For myself I am going to try an avoid being part of the ceiling decor head first
However to each their own 😉 🙂
Are Darwin awards coming for those who chose not to wear seatbelts? I feel sorry for the flight attendants but not really for the others who chose to not wear seatbelts while seated.