LATAM Airlines Flight 800
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 The aircraft involved in the incident, pictured in 2016 with its previous livery | |
| Incident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 11 March 2024 |
| Summary | In-flight upset; under investigation |
| Site | Tasman Sea, west of Auckland, New Zealand |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 787-9 |
| Operator | LATAM Airlines |
| IATA flight No. | LA800 |
| ICAO flight No. | LAN800 |
| Call sign | LAN CHILE 800 |
| Registration | CC-BGG |
| Flight origin | Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney, Australia |
| Stopover | Auckland Airport, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Destination | Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, Santiago, Chile |
| Occupants | 272 |
| Passengers | 263 |
| Crew | 9 |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 50 |
| Survivors | 272 |
LATAM Airlines Flight 800 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Sydney Airport in Australia to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, Chile, with a stopover at Auckland Airport, New Zealand. On 11 March 2024, around two hours into the first leg of the flight, the Boeing 787-9 operating the flight experienced an in-flight upset and dropped suddenly. Of the 272 people onboard, 50 were injured, with 12 people taken to hospital after landing in Auckland.[1][2][3][4][5]
Aircraft
The aircraft was a Boeing 787-9, registration CC-BGG. It was delivered to LAN Airlines in December 2015.[6]
The aircraft had operated the outbound flight, LA801 from Santiago to Sydney via Auckland.[7] After the incident, the onward leg to Santiago was cancelled.
Incident
LATAM Airlines Flight 800 departed from Sydney Airport at 11:44 AEDT (00:44 UTC), climbing to cruise at flight level 410.[7][4]
While the flight was over the Tasman Sea, around two hours into the flight and one hour away from Auckland, the aircraft dropped suddenly. In a few seconds, the plane lost over 300 feet of altitude. People and objects that were not restrained were thrown upwards, with around 30 to 40 people hitting the ceiling of the cabin.[8] Multiple people reported it "feeling like an earthquake", and one passenger recalled being thrown back 4-5 seat rows.[9]
The aircraft continued to Auckland as scheduled, landing at 16:26 NZDT (03:26 UTC).[7] Medical staff boarded the plane at Auckland Airport and treated the wounded, tending to 50 people, with reports of cuts and bruises, head and neck injuries, and broken bones. Twelve people were transported to hospital, including one person in a serious condition.[10] The pilot reported to a passenger that the instruments in the cockpit went blank when the plane fell, then came back online a few seconds later.[11]
Investigation
As the incident occurred on a Chilean-registered aircraft over international waters, the Chilean Directorate General of Civil Aviation is responsible for investigating the incident, and began an inquiry on 12 March 2024. The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission is assisting in the inquiry. The exact cause of the sudden change in trajectory is unknown, but most experts have suggested that multiple factors played a role in the incident, with a computer systems malfunction being suggested as a possible likely explanation.[12] The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the flight have been recovered, but their contents have not yet been released.[13]
Reactions
Boeing responded to the incident by stating "We are working to gather more information about the flight and will provide any support needed by our customers". The accident followed Boeing's increased criticisms for multiple in-flight problems on their aircraft.[14]
LATAM apologized for the incident, stating "We regret the inconvenience and injury this situation may have caused its passengers, and reiterates its commitment to safety as a priority within the framework of its operational standards".[15]
The FAA responded to the incident in an undisclosed message, and in return Boeing released a statement regarding the flight, quoting "Based on the FAA audit, our quality stand downs and the recent expert panel report, we continue to implement immediate changes and develop a comprehensive action plan to strengthen safety and quality, and build the confidence of our customers and their passengers".[16]
See also
- 2024 in aviation
- Qantas Flight 72, an incident in 2008 with similar circumstances
References
- ^ Zhuang, Zan; Frost, Natasha (11 March 2024). "'Strong Movement' on Flight to New Zealand Leaves Dozens Injured". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Fifty hurt as NZ-bound flight hit by 'technical' issue". BBC. 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ Visontay, Elias; Corlett, Eva (2024-03-12). "'Felt like an earthquake': passengers recall moment of terror on Latam flight as investigation launched". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ a b "Accident: LATAM Chile B789 over Tasman Sea on Mar 11th 2024, upset injures 12". The Aviation Herald. 2024-03-12 [2024-03-11]. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "Accident Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner CC-BGG,". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "CC-BGG LATAM AIRLINES CHILE BOEING 787-9 DREAMLINER". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ a b c "Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map". Flightradar24. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "New details from Sydney-Auckland LATAM flight revealed". Nine News. 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ Leff, Gary (2024-03-11). "'A Rollercoaster Nosedive in the Sky': Passengers Hit Ceiling On LATAM Flight 800 from Sydney to Auckland". View from the Wing. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "LATAM Airlines Sydney to Auckland flight: 50 people treated after mid-air incident". RNZ. 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "What happened on Latam flight LA800 that threw passengers around the cabin?". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "Aircraft systems issue possible cause of LATAM incident – commentator". 1News. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ Visontay, Elias; Corlett, Eva (11 March 2024). "Cockpit and flight data gathered as investigation launched into Latam mid-air plane drop". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ Timsit, Annabelle; Masih, Niha; Bellware, Kim (2024-03-11). "50 people injured after plane's 'nosedive' on flight to New Zealand". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ Dubé, Ryan; Hoyle, Rhiannon. "Incident on Latam Flight Injures Dozens Aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliner". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ Goldman, David (2024-03-12). "Boeing is in big trouble". CNN. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
External links
