The incident on LATAM flight LA800 from Sydney to Auckland left twelve passengers hospitalized after a technical problem caused the Boeing-made plane to dip violently. Passengers reported that the plane quickly lost altitude, causing some to be flung towards the ceiling. One passenger described how people flew through the air because they weren’t wearing their seatbelts, resulting in multiple injuries. The unidentified man told public broadcaster RNZ that people were really scared during the ordeal.
Response from LATAM Airlines
A spokesperson for LATAM Airlines stated that a “technical event during the flight” had caused a strong movement on the plane. Despite the unsettling experience, the flight landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled. The airline expressed deep regret for any inconvenience and discomfort the situation may have caused. It was not immediately clear what caused the incident, and both LATAM Airlines and Boeing were working to gather more information about the flight.
Upon descending into Auckland, medics from the St John New Zealand ambulance service were alerted to the problem on the plane. Over a dozen ambulances and medical vehicles rushed to the scene to treat the wounded passengers. Ambulance crews assessed and treated approximately 50 patients, with one patient in serious condition and the others in moderate to minor condition. Twelve patients, including three cabin crew members, were transported to the hospital for further treatment.
Witness Accounts and Pilot Statement
Brian Jokat, a passenger on board the flight, witnessed another passenger hitting the roof of the plane before falling back down and breaking his ribs on an armrest. Jokat described the unsettling scene as similar to something out of a horror movie. After landing, the pilot explained to Jokat that he had briefly lost his instrumentation before it suddenly came back. The pilot expressed regret for the frightening experience that passengers had endured.
Data from airline tracker FlightAware revealed that the plane lost altitude about two hours into the three-hour flight. The incident raised concerns about safety and reliability, especially in light of previous safety issues faced by Boeing. The US plane-maker has been under scrutiny following fatal crashes involving their 737 MAX planes. New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission stated that they were aware of the reported incident and would gather more information to determine if an inquiry was necessary.
LATAM Airlines announced that passengers destined for Santiago would depart from New Zealand on Tuesday evening, following the terrifying ordeal on flight LA800. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and emergency preparedness in air travel. Both passengers and airline companies must work together to ensure the well-being and security of everyone on board during flights.
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