The cockpit voice recorder and flight information recorder of a Latam Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been seized by authorities after greater than 50 folks injured throughout a mid flight incident.
Chilean Latam Airways LA800 flight was travelling from Sydney to Auckland on Monday when it skilled a sudden drop in altitude through the flight.
The flight landed about 4pm NZ time at Auckland Airport, with Hato Hone St John paramedics speeding to the runway to help.
A Latam Airways Group spokesman mentioned flight LA800 was carrying 263 passengers and 9 flight and cabin crew members when it skilled a “sturdy shake” throughout flight.
New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Fee (TAIC) confirmed on Tuesday it was aiding on the request of the Chilean authorities with its investigation in what occurred on-board.
A TAIC spokesman mentioned because the incident occurred in worldwide airspace, the Chilean accident investigation authority, the Dirección Normal de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC), has confirmed it was launched an investigation.
“TAIC is within the means of gathering proof related to the inquiry, together with seizing the cockpit voice and flight information recorders,” the TAIC spokesman mentioned.
A Latam spokesman confirmed the airline was working in “co-ordination with the respective authorities to assist the investigations” after the flight skilled a “sturdy shake”.
Passenger Lucas Ellwood advised Channel 7 what it was like on-board because the chaotic scenes unfolded.
“There wasn’t loads of rationalization on what did occur. Immediately we had been ending lunch (then it occurred),” Mr Ellwood mentioned on Tuesday.
“There was wine on the roof and there have been folks on the roof. It was only a scary, terrifying second.”
Mr Ellwood mentioned he was holding his iPad and filling out a passenger declaration for New Zealand when the incident occurred.
“The declaration kind and my iPad each hit the roof and got here crashing down instantly. It was loopy,” he mentioned.
About 50 folks had been initially assessed by paramedics upon touchdown.
Ten passengers – 4 of whom had been Australian – had been then taken to a medical centre for evaluation with one passenger and one crew member requiring further remedy for non-life threatening accidents.
“Latam supplied affected passengers with meals, lodging and transportation as a result of flight cancellation,” the airline spokesman mentioned.
“Latam Airways Teams’ precedence is to assist the passengers and crew members of the flight, and apologise for any inconvenience and discomfort that this case might have brought on.
“Additionally they reiterate their dedication to security as an uncompromising worth inside its operational requirements.”
