50 people injured on SYD-AKL LATAM flight LA800

[NamarrgonFlyer]

LATAM Airlines Sydney to Auckland flight: 50 people treated after mid-air incident

A passenger on the LATAM flight to Auckland says he saw people hit the ceiling before the plane began to nosedive.

www.rnz.co.nz

Twenty-four people have been treated after an incident on board a flight to Auckland.

LATAM Airlines Group said flight LA800 had a "technical problem during the flight which caused a strong movement" on its way from Sydney to Auckland.

"Some passengers and cabin crew were affected. They received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed."

A passenger told the NZ Herald she felt a "quick little drop" while mid-air.

 

[RSVKanga]

ABC: Twenty-four people injured on Sydney to Auckland flight after 'technical problem'


EDIT: Originally 24 injuries, now 50.

 

[jrfsp]

Now saying 50 which is a lot!
Always keep your belt fastened while seated

 

[Askance]

Fifty people injured after 'technical problem' on Sydney to Auckland flight

Fifty people have been injured after a "technical problem" on a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland.

www.abc.net.au

 

[RooFlyer]

A 'technical problem' / 'technical event' doesn't sound like turbulence. Some uncommanded pitch up/down, such as off NW WA a few years back?

 

[RSVKanga]

 

[RooFlyer]

The Australian has details and post-incident video (prob paywalled, sorry)

Fifty people injured by ‘strong movement’ on LATAM flight from Sydney to Auckland

LATAM customer Brian Jokat told The Australian about three-quarters of the way through the flight, the plane “suddenly dropped”.

He said there had not been any turbulence notification nor announcements, and many passengers were not wearing seat belts when the plane dropped.

After the plane landed, the pilot made his way to the back of the plane. Mr Jokat asked what had happened. “He said, ‘I don’t know, my instrument panel just went on me for a split second and caused the plane to lose control’,” Mr Jokat said. “Then he said it came back on again.”

Needless to say, passengers' accounts need to be taken with a grain of salt, in the heat of the moment.

 

[exLXCXFF]

I informed Simon, article here: The Aviation Herald

 

[oz_mark]

A 'technical problem' / 'technical event' doesn't sound like turbulence. Some uncommanded pitch up/down, such as off NW WA a few years back?

Based on the not very much information we currently have, it sounds like the computers reset for some reason.

 

[Mattg]

I informed Simon, article here: The Aviation Herald

I can't vouch for the veracity, but this comment on the Avherald post is interesting:

“In an airworthiness directive to be published Friday, the FAA said it is reacting to indications that “all three flight control modules on the 787 might simultaneously reset if continuously powered on for 22 days.”

“It said such a simultaneous reset in flight “could result in flight control surfaces not moving in response to flight crew inputs for a short time and consequent temporary loss of controllability.”

There were software glitches that would cause exactly what the LATAM flight experienced. I was under the impression the software was corrected. Several articles list differing reset intervals.

 

[N860CR]

Based on the not very much information we currently have, it sounds like the computers reset for some reason.

Which computers? And what is a “reset”?

 

[tomlee1986]

Now saying 50 which is a lot!
Always keep your belt fastened while seated

I complete agree with you there- thats why the safety video did say "keep your seatbelts fastened at all times just in case of turbulance" I also wish those injured a speedy recovery

 

[jb747]

Which computers? And what is a “reset”?

Early days yet, but they seem to be saying that everything on the aircraft went dark. So, basically exactly the same as turning your computer on at the wall power switch….and most definitely not something to be doing simultaneously to the entire flight control system. If this is actually true, then we have another Boeing product that should be converted into something else, preferably something that doesn’t fly. And now, for that 330 minute ETOPS…

I wonder how the INUs responded? (Inertial nav).

 

[jb747]

I informed Simon, article here: The Aviation Herald

And sadly the comments section ruins AVHerald. Another place where commentators should be vetted.

 

[Must...Fly!]

If this is actually true, then we have another Boeing product that should be converted into something else, preferably something that doesn’t fly.

Barely useful as a simulator, certainly good as a big paperweight...this is seriously disturbing stuff if accurate.

I wonder how the INUs responded? (Inertial nav).

Yes this was one of my first thoughts/questions, too. As always, a lot of unanswered questions and Boeing at the forefront once again...hmm...

 

[baarg]

Came here to see if there was any info, I'm due to fly in a couple of weeks so this is very alarming! Same flight number

 

[Quickstatus]

The Australian has details and post-incident video (prob paywalled, sorry)

No additional info there that is not found elsewhere.

12 transported:
10 to Middlemore (closest major hospital to AKL - but not a tertiary referral centre)
1 to Auckland City (NZ's largest public hospital - tertiary referral centre).
1 to Starship (childrens hospital)

 

[Dale Eastham]

I think the main takeaway is to follow the instructions when the crew asks you to wear seatbelts whenever seated during flight.

 

[Major]

50 people injured on SYD-AKL LATAM flight LA800

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/511423/24-people-treated-after-incident-on-board-flight-to-auckland Twenty-four people have been treated after an incident on board a flight to Auckland. LATAM Airlines Group said flight LA800 had a "technical problem during the flight which caused a strong...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[elanshin]

Not sure who exactly 7news got as their expert, but he definitely didn't come off with the right tone here.