New Zealand Authorities Seize LATAM Boeing 787's Black Boxes ...

12 Mar 2024

Forbes

Topline

Authorities in New Zealand said Tuesday they were seizing the so-called black boxes of the LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 plane, which faced an unexpected mid-flight issue that resulted in more than 50 passengers and crew being injured Monday.

The LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that suddenly lost altitude mid-flight a day earlier, ... [+] dropping violently and injuring dozens of terrified travellers, is seen on the tarmac of the Auckland International Airport in Auckland.

AFP via Getty Images Key Facts

In a statement on its website, New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said Chile’s aviation regulator, the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) has, opened an investigation into the incident.

The statement added that the regulator had sought the TAIC’s assistance in the investigation.

The New Zealand agency said it has begun gathering evidence for the investigation and was also seizing the plane’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorders—usually referred to as black boxes.

Although the plane involved in the incident was flying from Sydney to Auckland, it was being operated by Chile-based LATAM Airlines.

In a statement on X, DGAC said it will appoint an accredited representative in New Zealand to participate in the probe with the TAIC.

Key Background

More than 50 people—including both passengers and members of the flight crew—were injured on board a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 flight from Sydney to Auckland on Monday after it suddenly dropped altitude mid-flight. The LA800 flight was able to safely land in Auckland about an hour after the incident. Passengers recounting the incident say they saw people being violently thrown at the ceiling as the flight experienced the drop. The cause of the sudden drop is yet to be established, although early reports mentioned a technical issue as the cause.

Big Number

13. That is the number of people who were taken to hospitals after the plane landed, according to a LATAM statement. This included 10 passengers from various countries and three members of the flight crew. The airline said 11 of them were discharged quickly but one passenger and a cabin crew member “required additional attention, but without any life-threatening risks.”

Crucial Quote

In its statement, LATAM said: “Flight LA800, operating the Sydney - Auckland - Santiago route, carrying 263 passengers and 9 flight and cabin crew members, experienced a strong shake during flight, the cause of which is currently under investigation.”

Tangent

A couple of hours after landing in Auckland, the LA800 flight was set to fly to Santiago, but this was canceled due to the incident. The affected passengers have been rescheduled on flight LA1130 which is set to leave Auckland for Santiago on Tuesday evening. According to FlightAware, LA1130 is also a Boeing 787-9 jet.