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‘Technical Problem’ On Boeing Commercial Flight Causes At Least 50 Injuries

A ‘technical problem’ caused a ‘strong movement’ on an international flight to New Zealand’s Auckland Airport, sparking a large emergency response.

The incident occurred on LATAM Airlines flight LA800, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which landed in Auckland as scheduled.

The flight, which stops in Auckland before traveling to Santiago, Chile, departed from Sydney, Australia.

The ‘strong movement’ reportedly injured at least 50 people.

From The Guardian:

Fifty people have been treated by ambulance crews and 13 people are in hospital after an in-bound aircraft to Auckland experienced a “strong movement” mid-flight that reportedly saw passengers suddenly thrown about the plane.

In a statement, Hato Hone St John Ambulance said the organisation responded to an incident at Auckland International airport involving an inbound aircraft after a call at 3.58pm local time on Monday.

Five ambulances, a major incident support team vehicle, two rapid response vehicles and a number of senior personnel were dispatched to treat passengers who had been injured on the flight.

Their crews assessed and treated approximately 50 patients, with one person in a serious condition, and most with moderate to minor injuries. Thirteen people were transported to Middlemore hospital by ambulance.

One passenger reportedly said the plane suddenly “just dropped out of the sky” about two hours into the three-hour flight.

The ‘sudden drop’ threw passengers out of their seats, with some reportedly hitting the ceiling.

“The plane landed at Auckland Airport as scheduled. As a result of the incident, some passengers and cabin crew were affected. They received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed,” an airline spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald.

“Latam regrets 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,” the spokesperson added.

Collin Rugg writes:

50 people injured traveling from Sydney to Chile on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner after the plane had a “technical problem” that caused a “strong movement.”

Some of the passengers were treated at the airport after landing and 12 others were sent to the hospital.

One person is in serious condition and the rest suffered mild to moderate injuries.

Boeing has not yet responded to questions regarding the cause and nature of the incident (Reuters)

The New Zealand Herald reports:

St John sent seven ambulances, two operations managers, two major incident support team vehicles, one command unit and two rapid response vehicles to the scene.

One woman on the flight said she experienced a “quick little drop” during the flight.

“I used to be a flight attendant and this is the first time I’ve ever . . . the whole plane just froze,” she said.

The passenger said she saw “at least” five people being taken away by waiting paramedics after landing and was pleased to have made it safely to New Zealand. She said she was unaware of how serious the incident was for other passengers.

An Auckland Airport spokesperson said its emergency service team was assisting St John after a request for medical support from a Latam Airlines flight from Sydney.

Additional ambulances were also responding to the incident.

Police said they were aware of the incident and referred all other inquiries to St John.

As of 6pm tonight, ambulances were still exiting Auckland Airport.


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