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The pilot of the LATAM Airlines flight is being investigated for an incident that caused injuries to 50 passengers. According to reports, the pilot informed passengers that he lost control of the Boeing 787 temporarily due to a malfunctioning instrument.
On Monday, a flight operated by LATAM Airlines from Australia to New Zealand experienced a sudden drop while in mid-air due to a technical issue. This caused some passengers to be thrown from their seats, resulting in injuries when they hit the plane’s ceiling.
The Chilean Aeronautical Authority is conducting an investigation into the incident, as the aircraft involved was registered in Chile.
One of the 263 passengers and nine crew members on the flight, Brian Jokat, stated that he was asleep prior to the incident and awoke to witness individuals falling from the roof and landing on the floor.
According to CNN, he reported that the airplane rapidly descended about 500 feet.
“I suddenly snapped out of it and saw a group of people on the plane’s ceiling. They were stuck up there and then they fell to the ground. It was at that moment I realized this wasn’t a movie, it was all really happening,” recalled Mr Jokat.
Upon arriving at Auckland airport, the passenger reported that the pilot stated he had “lost control of the aircraft” and that his “gauges suddenly became unreadable”.
The individual mentioned that for a short period of time, he was unable to manage anything and during that time the plane behaved unexpectedly. However, the gauges later returned and the plane resumed its regular flight path without any problems. We did not experience any issues before or after that moment.
Photos taken by Mr Jokat following the incident showed damage sustained to the ceiling of the airplane where he said fellow passengers had hit it.
LATAM Airlines stated in a press release on Thursday that it is actively collaborating with the authorities to assist with the ongoing investigation. The airline refrained from commenting on speculations, stating that it would not be appropriate to do so.
According to the aviation industry publication Air Current, a potential adjustment of the pilot’s seat in the cockpit has become the main focus of the investigation into the unexpected descent during a flight.
According to a high-ranking airline safety official, the report stated that the seat’s movement was caused by the pilot, and not intentional. This conclusion was drawn from the data that was accessible.
According to another unnamed source, the aircraft’s nose was forced downward due to the movement of the seats. They also stated that there is a possibility that an electrical issue was being looked into as well.
The reason for the unexpected shift in the flight’s path has not yet been clarified. Experts in safety state that the majority of plane accidents are typically the result of a combination of factors that must undergo a thorough examination.
The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) stated that the responsibility for investigating the incident in international airspace falls under the jurisdiction of the Chilean accident investigation authority, the Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC).
LATAM Airlines, a carrier based in Chile and Brazil, expressed sincere regret for any inconvenience and discomfort experienced by its passengers due to this situation.
The plane experienced a “technical issue” during the flight that resulted in severe movements.
According to Mr. Jokat, he witnessed individuals yelling and sobbing in a state of panic, while also feeling afraid for his own safety. He described the scene as chaotic for a brief period of time, and mentioned that in his mind he accepted the possibility that this could be the end.
Source: independent.co.uk