On Monday, a frightening incident on a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner left passengers shaken after the aircraft suddenly dropped, causing injuries to more than 50 people.
The incident occurred during a flight from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand. According to preliminary evidence from U.S. industry officials briefed on the matter, a cockpit accident may have been the cause of the sudden drop.
Sources have revealed that a flight attendant accidentally hit a switch on the pilot's seat while serving a meal, activating a motorized feature that pushed the pilot into the controls and sent the plane into a nose dive. The switch, which has a cover and is not meant to be used when a pilot is in the seat, may have been the result of human error. This revelation has prompted further investigation into the matter.
LATAM Airlines, the Chile-based carrier, has issued a statement acknowledging that the Boeing 787 experienced a "technical event during the flight which caused the movement." The airline also confirmed that 10 passengers and three cabin crew members were taken to a medical center for treatment, and the majority were discharged shortly after. Only one passenger and one crew member required additional attention but did not have life-threatening injuries.
Passengers who were on board during the incident have shared their harrowing experiences, describing how they were thrown from their seats and even hit the ceiling due to the sudden dip in altitude. According to one passenger, Brian Jokat, "if you were in your seat, you went straight up to the ceiling and bounced off the roof." Fortunately, Jokat was one of the few passengers who were secured in their seats at the time.
The aircraft landed safely at Auckland Airport, as scheduled, but the passengers and crew were understandably shaken by the incident. Emergency vehicles and paramedics were on the scene to provide immediate assistance.
The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is now leading the investigation, and authorities have seized the black boxes to gather more information about the flight's trajectory and communication between pilots.
In response to the incident, Boeing has issued a statement saying it is ready to support any investigation-related activities as requested. The company will also be issuing a memo related to the seat switch, believed to have caused the incident. Meanwhile, two investigators from Chile's civil aviation agency, along with an expert from New Zealand, have been dispatched to lead the investigation.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation, and it may take some time before a conclusive report is released. In the meantime, LATAM Airlines has offered its full cooperation with authorities and has assured the public that safety is their number one priority. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following safety protocols, particularly on board an aircraft.
The airline industry is highly regulated and maintains strict safety standards to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew. Incidents like this are rare, and authorities will thoroughly investigate to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The safety and security of passengers should always be the top priority, and it is crucial for airlines and aircraft manufacturers to work together to maintain and improve safety measures.